The National Centre for investigation and improvement (NCBiR) has become the epicentre of 1 of the largest corruption scandals of fresh years. On Thursday, the spokesperson for the Regional Public Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw, Mateusz Martyniuk, informed about the detention of 3 further persons associated with abuses in this institution. This time, the erstwhile NCBiR deputy director, Hanna S., and 2 entrepreneurs, David E. and Kamil C, were in the hands of law enforcement. This case was first reported to Onet.
Charges for Hanna S.
Hanna S., acting deputy manager of NCBiR from 2022 to 2023, was accused of participating in an organized criminal group and accepting property and individual benefits with a full value of not little than PLN 640 thousand. According to the prosecution's findings, while performing her duties, Hanna S. was to accept bribes in the form of luxury items and stays in exclusive hotels. In return, it was intended to influence the decisions of those under her service and the members of the investment committees who decided to grant grants from the European Regional Fund. The projects intended to receive financial support were in fact fictional and aimed only at obtaining funds from associated entities.
Role of Entrepreneurs
David E. and Kamil C., 2 entrepreneurs, were besides charged with participating in an organized crime group and fraud to the detriment of the NCBiR. Dawid E. was to extort PLN 4 million, while Kamil C. – PLN 3 million. Additionally, both men were charged with money laundering: David E. for PLN 600 1000 and Kamil C. for PLN 750 thousand. Their activities consisted in issuing fictitious invoices to justify the grants granted.
Prosecutor's Office in Action
The Regional Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw has completed hearings of detainees and continues with Hanna S. This is the next phase of a wide-ranging investigation, which began in March after the notification of the ultimate Chamber of Control (NIK). NIK, during the audit conducted last October, detected many irregularities in the recruitment process of applications for backing in the "Quick way – Digital Innovation" competition. It was established that the NCBiR did not comply with the competition rules and its own interior procedures.
Early Detention
This is not the first detention in connection with the NCBiR scandal. In March of that year, the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Lublin informed about the arrest of Krzysztof B., erstwhile president of the NCBR Investment Fund. Krzysztof B. is suspected of participating in an organized crime group, fraud of EU funds and money laundering of about PLN 8 million.
Social Response
The scandal in the NCBiR has caused a immense stir in society and among politicians. The institution, which was expected to support innovation and technological improvement in Poland, proved to be an arena for corruption and abuse. The case seems to have many undiscovered threads yet, and subsequent detentions can only be a substance of time. Social trust in public institutions has been seriously damaged and the full affair has become a symbol of the request for deep reforms and greater transparency in the management of public funds.
The scandal at the National Centre for investigation and improvement shows how easy public institutions can become a tool for abuse if there are no adequate control and transparency mechanisms. The bribes and extortions accepted by Hanna S. show that the strategy of granting grants requires urgent changes. Cases like this should lead to reflection on ways to prevent corruption and abuse in the future. The fight against corruption must become a precedence in order to reconstruct public assurance and guarantee that public funds are utilized as intended.
More here:
Scandal at National Centre for investigation and Development: Next Stopping
