The Wrocław D.A. informed that the erstwhile Deputy Minister of Justice, Bartłomiej Ciążyński, had been charged with the unauthorised usage of a business car for private purposes. The indictment went to the territory Court for Wrocław Fabryczna, which marks the beginning of the trial in this case. Here are the details of the charges and the context of the events.
Charges against Bartłomiej Ciążyński
The territory Prosecutor's Office in Wrocław accused Ciążyński of exceeding his rights by utilizing a business car for private purposes between 2 June 2024 and 28 July 2024, erstwhile he was a state officer employed in the Polish Centre for Technology improvement (PORT) which was part of the Łukasiewicz investigation Network.
According to the indictment, Ciążyński was to usage the service fleet card for private purposes, including at least 8 times refueling the service car and buying spray fluid. The prosecution estimates that the losses of the institutions amounted to over PLN 4.6 thousand. The erstwhile Deputy Minister does not plead guilty to the alleged acts and is facing punishment from 1 to 10 years in prison.
History of the case
Bartłomiej Ciażyński, before taking the position of Deputy Minister of Justice in July 2024, was, among others, Vice president of Wrocław, city councillor and leader of the Left Club. As early as August 2024, he resigned from office in the Ministry of Justice, shortly after media publications which revealed that he had utilized a business car during a private vacation in Slovenia. The Wp.pl portal then informed that Ciążyński twice filled the vehicle with a service fleet card.
A associate of the Left then explained his ignorance of the prohibition of specified conduct. He admitted that he had returned funds to the institutions and apologized for his conduct. "I had no cognition that I could not do that," he explained.
The position of Ciązyński
In late November 2024, after the charges were filed, Bartłomiej Ciazyński published a message on platform X (formerly Twitter):
"I will defend myself against accusations and defend my work, social and political achievements. I am innocent, and the only thing I have done – for which I have already apologized and for which I have suffered far-reaching consequences – is misusing my employer's property.”
In his message Ciążyński asked the media to print his full name and image, stressing that he had nothing to hide.
Meaning of the case
The case of Bartłomiej Ciążyński draws attention to the issue of the liability of state officials for the usage of public property entrusted to them. Regardless of the result of the process, this case may become a informing to another public administrations.
The allegations made to Ciążyński will be dealt with in the context of Article 231 of the Criminal Code, concerning the breach of powers by a public officer, and a possible breach of public property management rules. The judicial process that will begin may uncover additional details applicable to the public.
Summary
Although Bartłomiej Ciążyński claims to be innocent, the charges against him may have serious legal and image consequences. It recalls the request for those in public to keep the highest ethical standards. The course of the trial will be crucial for assessing the legitimacy of the charges and the future political career of Ciążyński.
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