Charges against former members of the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority. Among them is Brudziński's friend

In February 2024, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Arkadiusz Marchewka posted on the X website, in which he shared information about the preliminary results of an inspection at the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority. “You know me – I rarely use strong words, but what we find at the Szczecin-Świnoujście Seaports Authority is an absolute scandal. The preliminary results of the ongoing inspection showed that a colleague of PiS baron Joachim Brudziński was earning millions at the port,” he wrote.

“The pizzeria manager issued monthly invoices to this state-owned company, the total of which exceeded four million złoty. What's more, after PiS lost the elections, the port signed a contract with him guaranteeing him further hundreds of thousands of złoty,” Marchewka added.

READ MORE: Deputy Minister: PiS Baron's Friend Earned Millions at the Port

The Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Szczecin has initiated an investigation into the matter.

On Tuesday, the announcement was made about the charges. “In the course of the investigation, the prosecutor decided to bring charges against Krzysztof U., Daniel S., Jacek C. and Dariusz Ś. regarding causing a direct risk of large-scale damage, as a result of failure to perform duties and abuse of authority by members of the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority in Szczecin SA, acting on behalf of the Company, by concluding an unfavourable annex introducing a ban on competition, with a person conducting business activity, contrary to the principles of proper management of the Company's assets. In addition, Dariusz Ś. was charged with violating a court ban on driving motor vehicles,” it was reported.

“During the interrogations, the suspects did not admit to the acts they were accused of and provided extensive explanations. The prosecutor applied preventive measures against them, in the form of police supervision, combined with a ban on contact with employees, contractors and certain contractors associated with the injured company. The crimes the suspects are accused of are punishable by imprisonment for up to 3 years,” it was noted.

“The investigation into mismanagement was initiated on June 14, 2024, based on a notification of a suspicion of committing a crime, submitted by the attorney of the injured party – the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority in Szczecin SA, regarding irregularities in concluding and amending the contract for the provision of management services, concluded between the injured party and Dariusz Ś. The notification also indicated irregularities consisting in employing people in the company without the competences expected by the notifier, assigning these people company vehicles on special terms and granting inflated remuneration. In addition, the notifier indicated that there was a suspicion of a corruption crime in connection with the described activities,” it was written.

As noted, “the investigation is continuing”. “The activities are conducted by the Internal Security Agency, Branch Office in Szczecin, under the supervision of the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Szczecin” – the prosecutor's office added in a statement.

Dariusz Ś. is an acquaintance of PiS MEP Joachim Brudziński. “Gazeta Wyborcza” wrote that “he combined his career in state-owned companies (he was also a proxy for the Polish PCS company and a member of the supervisory board of the Szczecin-Goleniów Airport) with running a pizzeria and a pub”. “The former was eaten at by, among others, Jarosław Kaczyński during his visits to Szczecin” – “GW” pointed out.

“Dariusz Ś. joined the Szczecin and Świnoujście Seaports Authority on 14 June 2016 as marketing director (later real estate and marketing director). He did not have a full-time job there. The contract was signed with his company “PHU Sigma” – the same one behind his catering establishments. It stated that he could provide services from any place and at any time,” added “Gazeta Wyborcza”.

As Radio Zet reported, “as a trusted man of Joachim Brudziński, he unofficially made key decisions in the company.”