Szczecin court clerk pleads guilty to charges of stealing from workmates

Szczecin local court accountant, Teresa B., on Friday pleaded guilty to the theft of zl. 260,000 from the court's internal fund, which lends money and provides financial help for employees. The woman was arrested on the same day. Teresa B. had already been charged of embezzling court money in an investigation two years ago. Then, it was court clerk Krystyna W. who had stolen zl. 271,400 of bail money. The woman was fired and Teresa B., along with another accountant, was accused by the prosecutor of failing to fulfill her professional duties. Although the court proceedings have yet to start, the president of the court, Grzegorz Chojnowski, said, "The case is sad. Ms. B., who was a deputy general accountant, has taken money from a fund created by her colleagues. It was they who in fact lost the money - not the court. When I learned the results of the investigation, I fired the woman." A ccording to him, Teresa B. was not fired two years ago as on that occasion she had committed a crime unconsciously and there was no conviction. M oreover, it was hard to find a good accountant who would accept the salary. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 7; 12-13 Oct.) M.M.