On Tuesday 16 December, the Kraków Regional Prosecutor’s Office charged Bartłomiej O., Jan B., and Józef K. with abusing state forest authority and threatening public‑interest loss over a luxury Gdynia villa.
Charges Filed Against Former State Forest Officials
The indictment alleges the accused acted to the detriment of public interest during their tenure at State Forests. Their alleged conduct may have led to the forced sale of the property at Morskie 200A in Gdynia.
Alleged Abuse of Public Authority Over Gdynia Villa
The property in question was state‑owned and managed by the State Forests Gdańsk Regional Directorate. Prosecutors say the defendants misused their positions to facilitate its transfer.
Potential Damages and Penalties
The prosecution estimates potential financial harm of at least 2 302 200 zł, with possible prison terms up to ten years for each defendant.
Background on Bartłomiej O.
Bartłomiej O. is the brother of PiS MEP and former Orlen president Daniel Obajtek. He served as head of the State Forests Regional Directorate in Gdańsk from 2018 until his dismissal in January 2024.
Media Reports on Proposed Purchase
Earlier reports noted that O. sought a 95 % discount when attempting to buy the villa, agreeing to a preliminary contract of 33 605 zł despite experts valuing the property at roughly 620 000 zł. The transaction ultimately did not close.
