The Regional Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw initiated an urgent investigation into the suspicion that undue compensation was paid to Father Tadeusz Rydzyk of the Lux Veritatis Foundation. The case concerns a giant amount PLN 10 millionwhich the foundation was to receive from PZU and Exalo Drilling, owned by the Orlen Group. The investigation was initiated following notifications by the current PZU Board and the interior safety Agency (ABW), which indicate the anticipation of committing a crime of mismanagement and of causing large-scale harm to companies. RMF FM journalist, Krzysztof Prawna, learned about the key details of this proceeding, which shed fresh light on controversial transactions years ago.
Millions of PLN under the eye: Details of the PZU investigation
The main subject of the investigation is compensation of PLN 10 million which the Foundation Lux Veritatis received from PZU in connection with the task Toruń Geothermia. The Foundation questioned the quality of the drilling, which was to be the basis for the compensation claim. However, as the interior audit carried out in PZU showed, this claim was not due and, moreover, expired. The analysis of the documentation besides showed that the insurer's employees were actively seeking all possibilities for the money to go to the Foundation affiliated with Tadeusz Rydzyk, despite the deficiency of legal basis. The investigation by the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw opens the way to appoint experts and interview key witnesses from both the insurance company and Lux Veritatis Foundation, which aims to full explain the circumstances of this controversial withdrawal.
The function of Exalo Drilling (Orlen Group) in a controversial payout
Next to the PZU, Exalo Drilling was besides a part of the prosecution’s mark Groups of Orlen. This second announcement to the prosecution afraid a akin situation in which Exalo Drilling, as a legal predecessor performing drilling for the Lux Veritatis Foundation, was besides to pay part of the claimed compensation. After PZU paid out its 10 million zlotys, there was an agreement with the board of Exalo Drilling that this company would pay out the second so much. This was the case, which means that, together, there could have been much more funds from state entities. Both ABW, PZU, and Orlenwho joined the notice, according to the authorities there were no grounds for payment of this compensation due to the fact that the claim was statute of limitations. This puts the correctness of financial management in the State Treasury companies in question.
Why were the claims wrong? Key audit findings
The key component of the investigation is the question of the irreparability of the compensation paid. According to the findings of audits carried out in PZU and the position of ABW and Orlen, the claims of the Lux Veritatis Foundation on the task Geothermia Toruńsk were statute of limitations. This means that regardless of any problems with the quality of drilling, the Foundation was no longer entitled to claim legal compensation. Still, the money was paid. The prosecution will examine whether there has been deliberate action to the detriment of companies, which could be classified as economy large size. This is peculiarly crucial in the context of those who manage public funds and have a work to guarantee that they are spent rationally.
What's next? Prospects of the investigation and possible consequences
The investigation by the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw is only the beginning of a long and complicated process. This means that investigators will have full powers to collect evidence, including to safe documentation, appoint independent experts, and to interview all persons active in compensation payments – from erstwhile board members of PZU and Exalo Drilling, to representatives of the Lux Veritatis Foundation. The intent of the proceedings is to find whether a crime has been committed, and if so, who is liable for it and what legal consequences it may have. The results of this investigation may have crucial implications for the image and finances of the companies involved, as well as for those who made decisions on this matter.
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Urgent investigation of the Lux Veritatis Foundation. $10 million from PZU and Orlen under the D.A.'s eye.
