Temporary arrest for the former director of the RARS Purchasing Office
Hubert B., who was detained by CBA officers, was charged by the Prosecutor with participation in an organised criminal group, promise of financial benefit and exceeding powers. By court decision, the former director of the RARS Purchasing Office was taken into custody. A multi-threaded investigation into irregularities at RARS is being conducted by the Silesian Branch of the Department of Organised Crime and Corruption of the National Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice.
On 9 October 2024 in Warsaw, officers of the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau detained Hubert B., former Director of the Procurement Office of the Governmental Strategic Reserves Agency. The Prosecutor of the Silesian Regional Office of the National Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice charged him and subsequently interrogated him as a suspect. The Prosecutor applied to the Regional Court of Katowice-Wschód in Katowice for the application of a preventive measure against the suspect in the form of temporary arrest for a period of 3 months.
Activities detrimental to the State’s interest
The investigation into irregularities at RARS is being conducted by the Silesian Branch of the Department of Organised Crime and Corruption of the National Public Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice.
The proceedings concern, among other things, exceeding the powers and failing to fulfil the duties of RARS employees when organising and implementing the purchase of goods and acting detrimentally to the public interest in order to gain a financial benefit. The irregularities supposedly occurred between 2021 and 2023.
The investigation was initiated on the basis of classified Central Anti-Corruption Bureau materials and two notices of suspected offences filed by the General Inspector of Financial Information. Two further notices of suspected money laundering were received in the course of the investigation.
Selected offers
Hubert B., as Acting Director of the Purchasing Team of the Material Reserve Agency and then Director of the Purchasing Office of the Governmental Strategic Reserve Agency, was responsible for the organisation and procedure of the Agency’s purchasing policy.
The findings of the investigation show that, as Director of the Purchasing Office, he instructed employees of the Material Reserves Agency to select bids submitted only by certain business entities.
The selected entities and companies did not have the technical and human resources potential and business experience to duly deliver the procured equipment. The financial condition and business profile of the entities also did not guarantee delivery. The selection of bidders took place despite negative recommendations from the CBA.
Five people charged
Until now, the Prosecutor charged five people in total. The charges relate to the committing of criminal acts, including participation in an organised criminal group, exceeding the powers of public officials and, in the case of one of the suspects, money laundering.
In July this year, the Prosecutor charged two people in the RARS case, namely: Justyna G., Director of the Procurement Office of the Governmental Strategic Reserve Agency, and Joanna P., acting as manager of the Office. The charges included exceeding powers in connection with the performance of public functions.
Arrest warrants
With regard to further suspects, i.e. Michał K., former President of the Governmental Strategic Reserves Agency (RARS), the Prosecutor implemented a search by means of an arrest warrant and a European Arrest Warrant. Michał K. was detained in the UK. Proceedings for the extradition of the suspect to the Polish authorities are pending before the Magistrates’ Court in London.
An arrest warrant was also issued against Paweł Sz. At the request of the Prosecutor, a European Arrest Warrant was also issued. A red note, that is, a search for arrest and extradition, was issued by Interpol.
CBA Press Team
