The parish is to return millions of EU subsidies
It is a refund of over PLN 27.3 million of EU funding. Administrative proceedings have been initiated for the purpose regaining incorrectly used support. Spokesman for the Gliwice diocese, Fr. Krystian Piechaczek says that for the parish “It is impossible to bear such a weight”. – If there are any premises to appeal against this decision, we will definitely suggest it to the parish of St. Jacek – adds Fr. Piechaczek in an interview with the Polish press agency and emphasizes that “this case must be thoroughly considered”.
A large renovation in the Bytom parish
Return proceedings apply to two projects that were implemented in 2018-2021. It is about support from the Regional Operational Program of the Śląskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020 for the revitalization of degraded areas as well as on the behavior, protection and promotion of cultural heritage. As part of the work The church in Bytom underwent, among others renovation of walls, paneling and ceilings, replacement of electrical installationconservation of benches and organs, modernization of the northern tower. The roof and facade were also renovated, as well as adaptation of chapels for didactic and exposition purposes.
“Documents confirming untruth”
– The call regarding the refund of funds is the result of the termination of the funding agreement, as a consequence of finding the fact of presenting documents confirming untruth in order to obtain funding – says a spokesman for the Marshal's Office of the province. Sławomir Gruszka. He explained that to sign the contract It was necessary for the parish to present documents confirming the security of its own contribution. Such documents in 2018 were presented, but “in the course of pending prosecutor's proceedings, the voivodship board knew that the bank did not confirm the deposits for the amounts that resulted from the documents presented by the beneficiary” – explains the spokesman.
Prosecutor's allegations
The proceedings regarding the irregularities in the settlement of funding from the Regional Operational Program of the Śląskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020 are also conducted by the District Prosecutor's Office in Katowice – reminds “Gazeta Wyborcza”. 10 people were charged, including the priest of the parish of St. Jacek in Bytom and entrepreneurs who participated in financially supported by the EU. The allegations concern, among others appropriation of property, fraud, money laundering and the use of counterfeit documents.
See also: Compensation for land. More in the text “Gigantic compensation for the parish. The State Treasury will pay millions”.
Sources: PAP, “Gazeta Wyborcza”