Regional National Health Fund president arrested and charged of corruption

On Friday the Internal Security Agency (ABW) detained Marek M, the head of Małopolski National Health Fund (NFZ). The prosecutor has charged him with bribery. In the afternoon Marek M. was formally placed under arrest for three months. He became head of the department in June when two fund employees were put in prison. "I want to bring back the Fund's good name," he said then. "I want the NFZ's structure to be clear, so that we know who is responsible for what." Together with Marek M. his long term associate, Agnieszka C. was also detained. According to the prosecutor, they were both deeply involved in the process of extorting money from the doctor's private practices between 2001-2002. At least 13 others are suspected of being closely involved in the corruption affair (Gazeta Wyborcza, July 24-25, p. 4) A.F.