Suspect Romanowski confessed to embezzlement from the Justice Fund

Suspect Marcin Romanowski, erstwhile Deputy Minister of Justice in the government of Zbigniew Ziobry, gave a controversial interview to tv Republic, in which he admitted that he personally decided to allocate funds from the Justice Fund (FS). His statements sparked a broad debate, especially in the context of prosecutorial actions aimed at charging him with the management of these measures.

The function of Romanowski as the trustee of the Justice Fund

Romanowski, who served as Deputy Minister of Justice, openly acknowledged that he had made the key decisions regarding the allocation of funds from the Justice Fund. As he himself stated, he was the "possessor" of that public money and yet he decided which organisation would receive the funding. “The full absurdity of these allegations is that the landlord – in this case me – made a decision which the organization is to win and which is not”, said Romanowski in a conversation with Miłosz Kłczek.

This interview sheds fresh light on the functioning of the Justice Fund, which was formally intended to support victims of crime and fund preventive programmes. However, according to the erstwhile Deputy Minister, the competition committee, appointed to measure the proposals, was simply an advisory function and its recommendations were not binding. The final decisions were based on Romanowski's individual decision. “The decisions were made by individual decision on the basis of a advice from the competition committee, which was not binding,” stressed the erstwhile Deputy Minister in the position of suspect.

Criticism of "pathology" in the management of public funds

During the interview, Miłosz Kłek suggested that this way of managing public funds can lead to pathology. Romanowski responded to these suggestions with outrage, defending his position and manner of action. “Why do you, Mr. Editor, think that the decision of 2 people, officials with small experience – 1 year or 2 years – is more crucial than the decision of the minister?” Romanowski reposted, stressing that individual decisions should belong to people in the highest positions and not to little experienced workers.

Romanowski at the same time pointed out that not all persons on the committees had small experience, admitting that officials with a 10- or 20-year stint besides work in the resort. – “There are people with 10 or 20 years of experience. I set an example," added erstwhile Deputy Minister of Justice, trying to defend against allegations of incompetence of members of the competition committee.

Controversy around the Justice Fund

The conversation between Romanowski and tv Republic has sparked many reactions, both in the media and among the public. Patrick Słowik, writer of Virtual Poland, pointed out the controversialness of Romanowski's message that he was the holder of funds from the FS. – ‘Disponent, or in this case me’. This is interesting, due to the fact that even in the politicized rules of having funds from the FS, it was not written anywhere that Marcin Romanowski was the authorising officer of the funds," commented Słowik, highlighting the ambiguities and possible violations of the rules in the management of the Justice Fund.

The issue of having funds from the FS raises many questions, especially in the context of the work for their appropriate distribution and transparency of decision-making processes. Romanowski's statements may indicate possible fraud in fund management that may be subject to further investigations and analyses.

Case law and public funds

In the light of the above-mentioned controversy, it is worth recalling the crucial case-law regarding public funds. The Constitutional Court has repeatedly stressed that public funds must be available in a transparent and legal manner. Any decision to grant measures should be based on clear criteria and subject to scrutiny, in order to prevent freedom and abuse.

In the context of allegations against the erstwhile Deputy Minister of Justice, it is precisely transparency and lawfulness erstwhile deciding to finance projects from the Justice Fund that will become key elements that may affect the possible imposition of charges.

Summary

The statements of the fishy Marcin Romanowski on his function in the management of the Justice Fund shed fresh light on the functioning of this mechanism. The open admission that he has personally made the decisions to allocate funds, contrary to the recommendations of the competition committee, raises serious doubts as to the transparency and legality of these actions. This will surely be further examined by both the media and law enforcement, which could have serious political and legal consequences.