Council leader caught red handed in zl. 4.2 million corruption case

The head of Czorsztyn gmina Marek K. was arrested by Central Investigation Bureau (CBS) during a successful sting operation where he had accepted a zl. 200,000 bribe. The official took the money in return for a promise to lower the price of attractive land on the Czorsztynskie lake by zl. 4.2 million. If the deal was completed he stood to gain another zl. 180,000. The land in question is 65% controlled by the gmina and is worth zl. 9.4 million. The police decided to resort to the tactic after a tip-off that Marek K. may have been taking bribes. The whole operation was well documented which will mean that the official can be charged with corruption, which is punishable by 2 to 12 years in prison. (Rzeczpospolita, Feb. 8-9, p. A3; Gazeta Wyborcza, Feb. 8-9, p. 4) J.K.