Former EU lawmaker and wife charged with corruption in Poland

In southern Poland, prosecutors have charged Ryszard Czarnecki, a former European Parliament lawmaker, and his wife, Emilia H., with corruption and influence peddling. This case is part of a broader investigation into irregularities at a private university in Warsaw, specifically Collegium Humanum. The couple allegedly received approximately 92,000 zlotys (around $23,000) under the guise of payment for fictitious work, in exchange for promises to help the university expand its operations abroad, particularly in Uzbekistan, leveraging Czarnecki's political connections. Czarnecki, a notable figure in the Law and Justice party, served as a European lawmaker from 2004 until 2019 and was previously the deputy speaker of the European Parliament. His political career faced a setback in 2018 when he was charged with defrauding travel cost reimbursements. The current government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, is actively pursuing accountability for alleged mismanagement and corruption by the previous administration. The investigation has revealed a network of nearly 50 suspects, including the rector of the university, who have been implicated in various forms of abuse of power and misuse of public funds. The charges against Czarnecki and his wife come amid a wave of scrutiny aimed at uncovering corruption within the previous government. If found guilty, the couple could face significant prison time, with potential sentences of up to 10 years. They have denied any wrongdoing and were released on bail following their detention, as the investigation continues to unfold.