The erstwhile Minister of Sport, Danuta Dmowska-Andrzejuk, was at the center of the controversy surrounding her employment in the Sports Totalizer as an advisory board. According to the information provided by Virtual Poland, the state company filed a announcement to the prosecution, accusing its erstwhile president, Olgiard Cieślik, of committing a crime. The key charge is the fictitious employment of Dmowska-Andrzejuk, which was to gain over PLN 438,000, even though according to the company it was not present at work for 483 days.
Fictional Employment: Subject of prosecution
According to Totalizator Sportowy, Danuta Dmowska-Andrzejuk was employed as an advisor to the board from April 2021 to November 2023, and her wage amounted to PLN 438,615,8 which means about PLN 14,500 per month. However, the announcement to the prosecutor's office indicated that the analysis of worker activity showed that the erstwhile minister was not present at work for a full of 483 days. The announcement states that ‘the employment contract was of an apparent nature’, and that the absence of any papers supporting the performance of her professional duties raises suspicions of fictitious employment.
The athletics Totalizer clearly indicated that the action of the then-president of the board, Olgard Cieślik, consisting in hiring Dmowska-Andrzejuk, was pointless and apparent. In the opinion of the company, its employment was intended solely to meet the financial needs of Dmowska-Andrzejuk, and not to meet the interests of the employer.
Reply by Olgiard Cieszlik and Danuta Dmowska-Andrzejuk
In consequence to the company's allegations, Olgiard Cieślik and Danuta Dmowska-Andrzejuk powerfully deny the accusations. Cieślik stressed that the employment of the erstwhile Minister of athletics was in accordance with the applicable procedures and regulations. In his opinion, Dmowska-Andrzejuk was to support the company in the implementation of strategical projects, including in the field of promotion of Sports Totalizer products through athletics and cooperation with external partners.
Dmowska-Andrzejuk, in her defense, pointed out that her employment in the company was a fact, not a fiction. She besides explained that as an advisor to the board, she was bound by the confidentiality clause of the company, which prevented her from giving a full answer to the questions asked. She besides pointed out her competitive experience (world champions in spout) and public (twice minister of sport) which she considers adequate to service as an advisor in a company investing in sport.
Background and further steps
Notice of the anticipation of committing a crime in the athletics Totalizer is another installment of audits carried out in companies of the Treasury, which uncover possible irregularities in the activities of erstwhile authorities. The result of the prosecutor's investigation may have a crucial impact on the reputation of both Dmowska-Andrzejuk and Cieszlik.
This issue is of large interest to the public, especially in the context of possible fraud in the management of public funds. The Totalizator Sportowy, as a company investing in sports, is simply a peculiarly crucial entity on the map of the Polish market, and any doubts about its activities rise widespread controversy.
Summary
The question of the fictional employment of Danuta Dmowska-Andrzejuk in the athletics Totalizer is simply a complex issue which requires careful examination by the applicable law enforcement authorities. Both the erstwhile Minister of athletics and the erstwhile president of the Board of Directors deny any allegations, but the findings of the investigation may bring fresh information on this matter. The full situation underlines the importance of transparency and legal compliance in the management of State Treasury companies, which is crucial to maintaining public confidence.
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Sports Totalizer: erstwhile Minister of athletics earned almost PLN 440 1000 without working for 483 days
