PLN 100 mln possible tender scandal at Polish Ministry of Justice

The Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) notified the general prosecutor’s office of possible wrongdoing at the Ministry of Justice connected with improperly awarded contracts worth some PLN 100 mln, Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza reported March 22.

“[The CBA’s notice is connected with an audit conducted at the Justice Minstry regarding its activities between 2007 and 2013, including the] verification of contracts, the awarding decisions, and the disposal of assets in connection with the purchase of ICT equipment and services, including the project of Centre of Registered Services,” CBA spokesperson, Jacek Dobrzynski, wrote in a press release.

Two persons are reportedly suspected in connection with the irregularities, including a former head of the IT and court records department. Possible charges may include negligence and abuse of public office with a penalty of up to three years’ incarceration.

Noone has been charged in the affair and it is unclear whether there is wider corruption or bribery involved.

“The audit is only a basis needed to commence the official investigation,” CBA chief, Pawel Wojtunik, commented as cited by Gazeta Wyborcza. “Such leads can be verified only during the course of an investigation.”

Justice Ministry spokesperson, Patrycja Loose, responded that the ministry itself asked for the CBA audit to be conducted following internal irregularities in public tenders discovered towards the end of 2012.

The CBA audit also focuses on three contracts signed by the ministry with a single IT company without announcing a public tender. The contracts in question were signed in November 2009 (for PLN 18.9 mln), February 2011 (for PLN 4.6. mln) and July 2012 in the amount PLN 10 mln.