Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) agents arrested three former directors of the State Forests of Poland on Tuesday morning, following instructions from the National Prosecutor's Office. The detained individuals include Józef K., the former general director; Andrzej Sz., the former regional director of the Szczecin directorate; and Michał C., the former director of the Information Center. All three men are considered suspects in the investigation.
According to Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, the arrests occurred across the Silesian, Łódź, and West Pomeranian Voivodeships. Dobrzyński confirmed they will be transported to the National Prosecutor's Office headquarters in Warsaw after procedural actions are taken.
The investigation is linked to allegations of fictitious employment concerning Dariusz Matecki, currently serving as a member of Parliament for the Law and Justice party (PiS). Reports indicate Matecki was hired by the State Forests as a communication specialist from May 18, 2020, at the Information Center's headquarters, but evidence has emerged showing he did not perform any actual work.
During an audit conducted within the State Forests post-election, it was revealed there were no records of Matecki's presence or work activities at the Warsaw office. A statement from the State Forests elaborated, "The audit, covering irregularities from previous years, confirmed the absence of any professional activity exhibited by Matecki during his tenure there. Following the end of his contract with the Information Center, he was transferred to the Szczecin regional directorate, where he also failed to perform his job duties, as later assessments disclosed."
According to various sources, including TVN24, the overall damage incurred by the State Forests due to these irregularities is estimated to exceed 500,000 PLN, as these payments were made without legitimate work being undertaken. The current management of the State Forests has proactively addressed these issues, filing over 60 notifications to the Prosecutor's Office about corruption, mismanagement, and damaging actions against the institution.
Chairing discussions on the matter, Lasy Państwowe reaffirmed their commitment to supporting investigations aimed at clarifying irregularities within the organization. This situation marks another significant step among various proceedings concerning past mismanagement within the State Forests.
"The current administration of the State Forests is taking decisive steps to restore transparency and accountability within the organization. We are implementing control mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of such issues moving forward. There will be no tolerance for actions detrimental to the public interest," the statement concluded. The company emphasized the importance of maintaining the State Forests as shared resources for all citizens.
The arrests are indicative of extensive efforts to combat corruption and hold accountable those involved in improper management practices. Authorities continue to investigate and curtail inappropriate administrative actions to safeguard public assets effectively.