Polish prosecutors have brought charges against four former employees of the Urban Social Welfare Center (MOPS) in the western town of Kostrzyn nad Odrą for embezzling more than PLN 7 million (USD 1.9 million) intended for people in need, investigators said.
The women, including the center’s then‑director, are accused of issuing benefit decisions to selected recipients who never received the money.
Instead, the funds were transferred to the officials’ personal bank accounts, according to the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Gorzów Wielkopolski.
An anti‑corruption probe by provincial police and prosecutors found the scheme ran from 2006 to 2021, diverting municipal social‑assistance money and causing losses to Kostrzyn nad Odrą city hall.
The defendants face up to 10 years in prison for abuse of office for personal and financial gain.
One woman is also charged with using an official car for private purposes, while another allegedly pocketed an additional PLN 14,000 (USD 3,830).
No trial date has been set.
(USD 1 = PLN 3.66)
(jh)
Source: PAP, RMF24