Former EU Politician Charged with Fraud

Ryszard Czarnecki, a former deputy president of the EU Parliament and Polish opposition politician, has been charged with financial fraud linked to his tenure as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). The allegations stem from claims that Czarnecki falsely reported his residence to receive unjustified travel expense reimbursements, amounting to approximately €203,000 between 2009 and 2013. The charges come after Czarnecki lost his MEP seat during the European elections in June. Investigators assert that Czarnecki misrepresented his residence, claiming he lived in Jasło, southeastern Poland, while he actually resided in Warsaw, significantly closer to Brussels. The prosecutor's office detailed that the charges involve the "unfavorable disposition of property of substantial value" through falsified documents. Czarnecki reportedly submitted 243 claims for reimbursement based on this misrepresentation. Initially, prosecutors sought to bring charges against Czarnecki in February, but his immunity as an MEP delayed the process. Following the loss of his immunity, the prosecutor's office moved forward with the charges. Czarnecki has vehemently denied the allegations, suggesting they are politically motivated and asserting that any irregularities were the responsibility of his associates. In a statement to the media, Czarnecki expressed his strong opposition to the charges, framing them as a "political order" executed by the prosecutor's office. Despite his denial, the legal proceedings will continue, as his claims do not absolve him of potential criminal liability.