The Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Gdańsk has launched an investigation into alleged offenses committed by Radosław Piesiewicz, which include not only issuing fraudulent invoices but also abuse of power and causing significant financial damage to the Polish Basketball Association and the Polish Basketball League.
Investigators report that the case involves financial misconduct between 2022 and 2024. According to Prosecutor Mariusz Marciniak, the alleged crime consisted of issuing fraudulent VAT invoices at short intervals through Piesiewicz’s sole proprietorship.
Concerns over the Polish Olympic Committee’s (PKOl) finances were also highlighted by Sports Minister Sławomir Nitras, who pointed out on platform X that between 2019 and 2024, Radosław Piesiewicz issued invoices totaling 9.3 million PLN (€2.23 million) and additionally withdrew nearly 1.4 million PLN (€336,000) from the PKOl’s funds.
The total sum of 10.7 million PLN (€2.57 million) exceeds the Committee’s expenditures on Polish athletes' participation in this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, which amounted to 7.5 million PLN (€1.8 million).
Minister Nitras directly addressed President Andrzej Duda, asking whether he expects an explanation on the matter. If the investigation confirms wrongdoing, Radosław Piesiewicz could face up to 25 years in prison for what is known as a VAT fraud crime.
Meanwhile, audits conducted by the National Revenue Administration and the Supreme Audit Office uncovered irregularities, including issues with sponsorship agreements made by the Polish Olympic Committee (PKOl), leading some sponsors to withdraw their support.
Despite the allegations and calls for his resignation from the sports minister and some federation heads, Piesiewicz has no intention of stepping down and plans to remain PKOl president until the end of his term in 2027.
PKOl spokesperson Katarzyna Kochaniak-Roman stated that the organization will cooperate with prosecutors in the financial misconduct investigation concerning its president.
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Source: IAR/PAP/X/@SlawomirNitras/@Prok_Regio_GDA