Former KRRiT Chief Charged Over Illegal Party Financing

Prosecutors have charged the former head of the National Broadcasting Council, Maciej Ś., and former board member Cezary J. for allegedly misusing Polish National Foundation funds to finance a political campaign.

Charges Against Former Foundation Officials

The Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Rzeszów has issued charges against the former board members of the Polish National Foundation (PFN) for abuse of power and failure to fulfill duties. Prosecutors allege that the suspects acted together to implement and fund the “Fair Courts” media campaign, which was deemed contrary to the foundation’s statutory goals.

According to prosecutor Jaromir Rybczak, the suspects illicitly provided non-monetary assets—valued at over 8.4 million PLN—to the Law and Justice (PiS) and Solidary Poland political parties in the form of political marketing services. The suspects have denied the allegations; both face up to 10 years in prison and are currently under travel restrictions with passports confiscated.

CBA Intervention and Official Statements

Following a directive from the prosecutor’s office, Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) agents detained Maciej Ś. and Cezary J. on July 14. While both men were released after hearing the charges, the investigation remains active. Special services coordinator Tomasz Siemoniak noted that the campaign served a political order from the then-PiS government, aimed at discrediting independent judiciary processes.

PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński condemned the detentions, dismissing them as “acts of revenge” by the current administration. He characterized the investigation as a political maneuver intended to intimidate opposition figures rather than a pursuit of justice.

Broadening Investigation into PFN Expenditures

The current case adds to broader scrutiny regarding the financial management of the Polish National Foundation. Investigations were previously launched into the foundation’s operations throughout 2017, specifically concerning its spending and the lack of transparency surrounding the use of public funds from state-owned companies.

Questions have persisted for years regarding the legality of the PFN’s creation and its refusal to undergo oversight by the Supreme Audit Office (NIK). Previous concerns also involved the purchase and subsequent sale of the “I love Poland” yacht, as well as the hiring of private PR firms to execute campaigns promoting the government’s agenda.