TV Republika has released another set of recordings of private conversations involving Roman Giertych. In one of them, he is heard speaking with Leszek Czarnecki, a central figure in the GetBack scandal. The recording suggests that the Civic Coalition (KO) politician was arranging a meeting between Czarnecki and Donald Tusk.
On Monday, TV Republika unveiled a new batch of the so-called “Tusk tapes.” One of the recordings features a conversation between Roman Giertych and Leszek Czarnecki.
The conversation begins with Giertych expressing difficulty in reaching Czarnecki for several days. Returning the call, Czarnecki says he wanted to offer support in the aftermath of the election results.
L. CZ.: Look, it doesn’t matter. Regardless, I haven’t heard anything, I’m calling to check how you're doing. Lately, I’ve had the impression the elections really got you down—and that’s not good. I want to cheer you up.
R.G.: Listen, I had a long talk with Donald. He really lifted my spirits. He was in high spirits, laughing.
L. CZ.: I want to cheer you up, too.
R.G.: Laughing like crazy, especially since Grzegorz nominated Małgośka. Małgośka is his person. So he was just thrilled. I’ve scheduled a meeting with him for this week or next, and I’ll find out what you’re planning. I think some decisions might already be in place.
L. CZ.: That’s good. If there’s any way I can help, I’d be happy to.
R.G.: I need to get you two together, actually.
L. CZ.: And if I can avoid doing harm, I certainly won’t cause any.
Who is Czarnecki?
The conversation between Giertych and Czarnecki—and especially the arrangement of a meeting with Donald Tusk—may raise eyebrows. Czarnecki is one of the central figures in the GetBack scandal. The case involves allegations of large-scale financial damage, maintaining accounting records in violation of legal standards, and providing false information. The losses were estimated at up to PLN 2.6 billion.
Prosecutors charged Czarnecki with, among other things, enabling the organization and sale of GetBack S.A. bonds through Idea Bank S.A.—where he served as Chairman of the Supervisory Board and was effectively managing the institution. Nearly 2,000 individuals purchased the bonds through the bank’s network, investing a total of PLN 731 million. Prosecutors allege that clients were systematically misled regarding the safety of their investments, the nature of the financial instrument, and its supposed exclusivity.
The charges were later expanded to include over 1,100 victims, who lost more than PLN 227 million, and the bank itself, which suffered approximately PLN 9 million in damages.