Corrupt Szczecin councilors in zł. 16.5 million land scam

The Szczecin prosecutor accused two former city council members of accepting a zł. 15 million bribe from a businessman and charged the three on Friday. The two councilors, Janusz W. and Krzysztof T, were apprehended by the Internal Security Agency (ABW) on Thursday. After interrogating them, the prosecutor accused them of accepting a bribe from Ryszard M. in exchange for selling a plot of land on which flats were to be built. This is another chapter from the 1990's scandal connected with the Bryza housing cooperative, which bought the plot without a tender for a modest zł. 1 million, as it was designated for a new housing estate, but sold it on for zł. 16.5 million with planning permission for a hypermarket. Now, at least 13 people have been accused of breaking the law and causing damage to city's finances amounting to zł. 16.5 million. Both Janusz W. and Krzysztof T. were presidents of Bryza and at the same time city councilors. (Rzeczpospolita, June 7-8, p. A3) M.M.