Radoszyce. The deputy mayor and two entrepreneurs detained by the CBA were charged with corruption

On Thursday, the Central Anticorruption Bureau announced the detention of the deputy mayor of the Radoszyce commune, Grzegorz P., and two entrepreneurs cooperating with him. The arrest took place on Monday (April 22).

As stated in the statement, the investigation concerns “corruption crimes and exceeding the powers of a public official in order to obtain financial benefits.”

“The findings show that there were irregularities in the tender procedures at the Commune Office in Radoszyce. The local government official revealed important circumstances that were important for the concluded contracts for the provision of public services. In exchange for waiving the procedures, he demanded a financial benefit in the amount of PLN 150,000. PLN,” the CBA press team reported. Officers searched 10 locations in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, securing “documentation related to the implementation of public procurement in the City and Commune of Radoszyce.”

All suspects were brought to the District Prosecutor's Office in Kielce. The deputy mayor was charged with demanding a bribe in connection with his function and failing to fulfill the duties of a public official in order to obtain financial benefits “due to the failure to apply public tender procedures in the implementation of two public investments.”

One of the entrepreneurs, Roman A., was charged with giving a bribe of PLN 150,000 and aiding and abetting, and the other was charged with “aiding and abetting one of the crimes relating to failure to fulfill the duties of a public official.”

On the post-election Monday – when it was already clear that the incumbent mayor of Radoszyce, Michał Pękala, had secured re-election – the local government official published a recording on social media in which he thanked people for their votes.

– Today, however, I had such a surprise (…), officers visited our commune. Of course, since the morning hours, to be honest, I thought I would rest a bit and take one day off after this hard campaign, but I had to show up. It was a nice visit. Remember this, you should not blame them (the officers – ed.). They have this job – explained the mayor. On the same day – according to the CBA's announcement – deputy Pękala was arrested.

The local government official emphasized that officials “have nothing to hide” and “any inspections are welcome.” – If anyone makes a small mistake, RIO (Regional Audit Chamber – ed.) has the right to point it out to us and show it to us, because we are not infallible. However, I see that the scale of denunciations and slander is very wide and will probably continue to appear in public space. I'm a bit surprised because I don't think this is the way to go. I believe that development is peace, development is the seriousness of the situation. This made me even stronger. What doesn't destroy you will make you stronger – added the mayor of Radyszyce, Michał Pękala.

On Thursday (April 25), a message appeared on the website of the Radoszyce City and Commune Office, which stated that, in connection with the CBA's announcement, the deputy mayor had been suspended from his duties. “In order to ensure the proper functioning of the Office, Mr. Robert Lisowski was appointed Deputy Mayor of the City and Commune of Radoszyce.”

Michał Pękala won the mayoral election of Radoszyce over his competitor by a slight majority of votes. 2,087 voters voted for the incumbent mayor, and 2,056 for his rival. This is only a 31-vote advantage.