Łapiński's right-hand man formally charged with corruption

He stands accused that back in 2002 he tried to extort a bribe of at least zł.1.2 million from a foreign pharmaceutical consortium. If found guilty he would face up to eight years in prison. He is also accused of unfairly securing contracts for his company with the Mazowiecka Health Fund. He was released on bail of zł.200,000 and had to surrender his Polish and Austrian passports. Deszczyński denies the accusations. (Rzeczpospolita pp. A1, A2, A3) D.W.