Warsaw court continues trial of former Justice Fund director Urszula D. over 66 million zł allegedly improperly allocated to Fundacja Profeto.
Continuing Legal Proceedings
On Tuesday at the Warsaw District Court, the trial continued regarding the transfer of over 66 million zł from the Justice Fund to Fundacja Profeto (from the nearly 100 million zł awarded). During the multi-hour session, the court continued taking explanations from one of the six accused individuals – Urszula D., former director of the Justice Fund Department.
Prosecution’s Allegations
The National Prosecutor’s Office, conducting a multi-thread investigation into rigged competitions for money from the Justice Fund, assessed that funds reached Profeto despite failing to meet formal and substantive requirements. For these funds, the “Archipelag – islands free from violence” investment began, whose implementation – according to investigators – deviated from the fund’s objectives, including assistance to crime victims.
Charges Against Urszula D.
Against Urszula D. – a former public official with many years of experience in public administration – the prosecution formulated, among other charges, participation in an organized criminal group committing crimes against property, exceeding authority, certifying falsehoods, and causing great damage to the State Treasury for personal and property benefits.
Defense Claims
The former director of the Justice Fund Department, who does not admit guilt, submitted extensive explanations on Tuesday. Their reception will be continued by the court at subsequent sessions – April 29 and May 27 of this year. Urszula D. also agreed to answer questions from the court and defense lawyers, but not from the prosecutor (like most other accused).
“I performed my tasks in accordance with the applicable regulations,” emphasized Urszula D. on Tuesday, who referred among other things to the functioning principles of the Justice Fund, including regulations governing it in the Code of Criminal Execution.
Fund Allocation Process
She recalled that the fund’s disponent is the Minister of Justice, who determines expenditure within objectives indicated in the law, including assistance to victims, post-penitentiary assistance, and counteracting causes of crime. She explained that the minister gives directives, and their implementation – including fund payments – takes place within concluded agreements specifying tasks, subsidy amounts, settlement methods, and possible return of unused funds.
Controversy Over “Archipelag” Investment
In the final part, referring to the “Archipelag” investment, Urszula D. stated that she saw rooms designated to assist crime victims, and the claim that this was exclusively a media center is – in her opinion – an abuse. She also addressed the charge regarding the offer from the Lux Veritatis Foundation, denying that exceeding authority occurred during its formal assessment.