Local SLD activists accused of using political pressure to win contracts

In Lodz there appears to be an organization acting under the name of the Medical Circle of the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), while local SLD politicians deny the existence of such a group. The medical circle was formed by the Radominski family, who own two companies that sell medical supplies. The director of the Kopernik hospital, Jozef Tazbir, has complained that the Radominskis are intervening in the functioning of his hospital, asking him questions about decisions on tenders for medical supplies and accusing him and his co-workers of accepting bribes. They also threatened that he could loose his job if he doesn't respond to their demands. The medical circle is also trying to block the construction of the didactical clinic in Lodz. The clinic, according to government plans, was going to be the site of a medical university, while the Radominskis are lobbying for different projects. They say they were appointed by the SLD to restructure the health care system, but the party denies that they are its representatives. (Gazeta Wyborcza, pp. 1, 8)