Three Warsaw notaries were detained by Poland’s Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) on charges related to abuse of power for financial gain.
Financial Crime Investigation in Warsaw
Three notaries from two Warsaw notarial offices were arrested by the CBA at the request of the Łódź Regional Prosecutor’s Office. Two women and one man face charges of exceeding their authority to obtain financial benefits, potentially facing up to 10 years in prison.
Money Laundering and Organized Crime Link
The arrests are connected to an investigation by the Łódź Regional Prosecutor’s Office and the CBA, which has already implicated 18 suspects in organized crime and money laundering totaling over 251 million złoty. Additional charges include tax evasion of nearly 13 million złoty, financial fraud, document forgery, and false certification.
Illicit Funds from Failing Companies
Prosecutors allege the group illegally acquired funds, property, and other assets from companies facing bankruptcy. The extensive investigation comprises over 300 volumes of evidence and has resulted in the securing of assets worth nearly 23 million złoty, with over 13 million złoty accepted as bail.
Notaries Accused of Hiding Funds
The notaries are accused of accepting nearly 48 million złoty in deposits into the notarial offices’ accounts, unrelated to any notarial activity. The purpose was allegedly to conceal funds from creditors of companies under investigation for potential bankruptcy.
Unauthorized Fund Transfers
Prosecutors state the notaries improperly disposed of funds held in the deposits, transferring them to private accounts, establishing deposits, or temporarily providing them to other unauthorized individuals. Following questioning, the prosecutor imposed property bonds ranging from 20,000 to 150,000 złoty and travel bans with passport confiscation on the notaries.
