The Polish State Credit Agency (CBA) detained the Polish ambassador to France and a former PiS lawmaker on Monday, with authorities accusing them of forging documents and using diplomatic channels for personal gain, says Goniec.pl.
Airport Encounter with CBA Officers
On Monday morning, State Credit Agency (“CBA”) officers waited at the Kraków airport for the arrival of Poland’s ambassador to France, Jan R. They detained the ambassador and two other officials, then transported them—Max K. and Paweł P.—to Katowice. A multi‑hour interrogation and confrontation followed at the Kraków prosecutor’s office, with actions against the ambassador concluding only later that night.
Who Are the Arrested Individuals?
Max K. served as a PiS parliamentarian from 2005 to 2016 and was vice‑chair of PKO bank from 2006 to 2023. He is alleged to have orchestrated the procurement of fake MBA diplomas for himself, his sister, and other associates, which allegedly granted them access to supervisory boards of State‑owned enterprises.
Paweł P. has long been a financier linked to the PKO group and reportedly used a “left‑leaning” diploma to secure nominations to supervisory boards. Ambassador Jan R., former PKO vice‑chair and president, is also implicated for having benefited from a Collegium Humanum diploma issued despite lack of attendance.
Fabricated Diplomas and Corporate Connections
Authorities allege that the fake diplomas—MBA programs and Collegium Humanum credentials—served as passports allowing the trio to enter supervisory and supervisory board positions within State‑owned companies. These documents were reportedly arranged by Max K., who is portrayed as the central figure behind the scheme.
Swiss Jewelry Transaction
According to Goniec.pl, Max K. suggested that his conversation partner Paweł C. could accelerate a case if he purchased a Swiss watch that was no longer needed. Paweł C. allegedly paid several thousand dollars for Swiss jewelry, while Max K. cited contacts in the Ministry of Science and later with government spokesman Piotr Müller to facilitate the transaction.