Former Sosnowica Mayor to Face Court Over 8M PLN Contract

28 July 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

The former Sosnowica mayor trial advances as prosecutors indict the ex-commune head over an 8M PLN waterworks contract.

The former Sosnowica mayor trial moved forward this week after the regional prosecutor filed a formal indictment. Consequently, the ex-head of the rural commune now faces criminal charges tied to an 8 million zł public investment.

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former Sosnowica mayor trial: The case in brief

Prosecutors in Lublin sent the indictment to court following an inquiry by the Chełm branch. Moreover, the charges cite breaches of public office rules under Article 231 §1 and §2 of the Polish Penal Code. In addition, the former official faces accusations under Article 297 §1 for document irregularities. The probe covered a 2022 tender for water and sewage upgrades. Investigators focused on a reconstruction of the local sewage treatment plant. Therefore, authorities say the contract choice harmed the public interest.

What prosecutors allege and the evidence

Prosecutor Marcin Kozak said the team gathered extensive evidence. Consequently, they interviewed witnesses and secured documents. Moreover, the office obtained an expert opinion on public procurement law. Investigators allege the former mayor ignored formal gaps in the tender files. In addition, he allegedly selected a single bidder regardless of missing documentation. The accused denies the charges and refuses to give explanations in the probe. However, the court must now decide if the facts meet criminal thresholds.

Local fallout and next steps for the project

New municipal leaders discovered the irregularities after their 2024 election. Therefore, the incoming wójt ordered a review and canceled the contract. Moreover, the council debated the decision sharply. However, the municipality kept the public funding for the project. Consequently, officials now plan a new procurement procedure. In addition, residents expect the waterworks upgrades to continue under a legally sound tender.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: In Poland a “wójt” is the elected head of a rural commune, comparable to a mayor of a small town. Also note that PESEL is the national ID number, ZUS is the state social security institution, and NFZ runs public health insurance. If you sign a local contract, check the municipality’s minutes and public procurement notices. For practical reasons, track council decisions and procurement records online to avoid surprises.

For expatriates this case matters beyond local politics. Firstly, it shows how changes in local leadership can affect public projects. Moreover, it highlights how public procurement rules protect EU and national funding. Therefore, foreigners buying property or running local businesses should watch municipal tenders. In addition, they should confirm contracts and permits clear legal review before relying on a local contractor.

The court will now consider the indictment and the defense. However, the trial may take months, given the complexity of procurement law. Consequently, the municipality must run a new transparent tender to finish the infrastructure work.

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