The case centers on Bartłomiej Ciążyński, a former Deputy Justice Minister who traveled to Slovenia with public funds for a family holiday. The Wrocław Regional Prosecutor’s Office announced that he faces accusations of exceeding his powers and committing fraud.
On November 29, 2024, the Prosecutor of the First Investigative Department of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Wrocław informed Bartłomiej C., the former Deputy Minister of Justice, that an indictment had been issued under Article 231 § 2 and Article 286 § 1 of the Criminal Code in connection with Article 11 § 2 and Article 12 § 1 of the Criminal Code, according to the office. The announcement was made by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Wrocław.
Costs
Ciążyński is suspected of holding a state official role from June 2, 2024 to July 28, 2024 in Wrocław and elsewhere as Deputy Director for Commercialization of the Łukasiewicz Research Network Institute PORT Polish Center for Technological Development. He allegedly exceeded his powers by signing a management contract with the Institute and contributed to an unfavourable sale of real estate valued at PLN 4,619.82. The alleged misconduct involved presenting a company car and its fleet card as used for business purposes while they were employed for private use, leading to at least eight private fuel purchases and windshield washer liquid transactions charged to the fleet cards, thereby harming the public interest, according to spokeswoman Karolina Stocka-Mycek.
The prosecutor’s office noted that during questioning Ciążyński did not admit guilt, explaining that although he signed the relevant document he was not familiar with the rules for the use of a commercial vehicle and believed it could be used for private purposes. He denied an intention to harm the employer, but he did not deny that the vehicle and fleet card were used for private purposes, the office stated.
Ciążyński faces a potential prison term of one to ten years if convicted of the alleged offense, the announcement concluded.
Holiday scandal
Ciążyński, who had previously served as vice-president of Wrocław, a city councilor until 2023, and head of the local Left Club, was appointed deputy justice minister at the start of July. In August reports emerged that Ciążyński’s family holidays in Slovenia were partly funded by public funds. He initially denied this in an interview but later admitted to using a company fuel card and a car provided by the state research institution where he had worked prior to joining the ministry.
In a later statement Ciążyński said he had submitted explanations to the prosecutor’s office. He stated that the Public Prosecution Service accuses him of fraud but that the act would involve deliberate deception, whereas he felt he was mistaken. He rejected the idea that he acted beyond his authority, arguing that the actions were not part of official duties and that driving the car was not his job. The former deputy minister asserted that he would defend himself against the accusations and uphold his professional, social, and political achievements. He maintained his innocence and said that his apologies and the consequences he faced were a result of his error in using the employer’s property.
He added that he resigned as deputy minister a few hours after describing the case, a decision made amid intense public backlash and threats that affected him personally. He emphasized the personal and professional costs he has faced and stated his intention to continue defending his record, while acknowledging the consequences of the mistake.
Note: this summary reflects the statements as reported by authorities and media coverage of the case. It presents the sequence of events and the positions released by Ciążyński and the prosecutor’s office without commentary or opinion from the publisher.