Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski, Poland’s deputy foreign minister, has been formally charged with misappropriating millions of zloty entrusted to him. Prosecutors allege he used the money for personal expenses and purchased three apartments in Warsaw between 2005 and 2006. His wife has also been charged in the case, and both accused deny guilt. The charges were announced this week after Bartoszewski voluntarily waived his parliamentary immunity on 6 October. He previously told newspaper Fakt that he "absolutely does not feel guilty" and claimed a "political element" exists in the proceedings.
The Alleged Financial Misconduct
Prosecutors state that Bartoszewski managed assets for art collector Andrzej Ciechanowiecki, his godfather, starting in 2004. From 2005, he also managed funds for the Non Omnis Moriar Foundation linked to the collector. According to the prosecution, Bartoszewski failed to account for these funds when asked from 2009 onwards and began avoiding contact with Ciechanowiecki. In 2012, the parties terminated their agreements and demanded the return of the money. The following year, they filed a lawsuit seeking approximately 7.2 million zloty, plus interest, along with specific amounts in pounds, euros, and dollars.
Bartoszewski allegedly took steps to prevent creditors from recovering the owed money. A company owned by him and his wife sold the three Warsaw apartments, after which the couple disposed of their shares in that entity. His wife also donated a property to their underage children. As a result, prosecutors say the couple now possesses no assets from which creditor claims could be satisfied. A Warsaw court ordered Bartoszewski to pay the foundation more than 13.2 million zloty in March 2024, though an appeal remains pending.
Charges and Political Consequences
The primary charge involves the misappropriation of funds worth £1 million, €405,000, and 6,683,705 zloty. This offence carries a prison sentence of between one and ten years. A second charge concerns taking steps to reduce the recovery of money owed to a creditor, punishable by three months to five years in prison. Bartoszewski entered politics in 2019 as an MP for the centre-right PSL party. He became deputy foreign minister in 2023 after PSL joined Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s ruling coalition.
Government spokesperson Adam Szlapka stated that the deputy minister is currently on leave. Decisions regarding his position will be made upon his return. Bartoszewski maintains that all real estate acquisitions were consistent with Ciechanowiecki’s original will. He insists the premises were intended as permanent financial security for his family. The criminal and civil proceedings will determine whether his defense holds up against the substantial financial evidence presented by the state.
