Jacek Sutryk, the mayor of Wrocław, has been charged by the Silesian Division of the National Prosecutor’s Office. The accusations include bribery to obtain an MBA diploma from Collegium Humanum, illegal use of a document, and embezzlement of 230,000 PLN. Despite these charges, Sutryk remains free.
“I did not offer any bribe,” Sutryk stated as he left the prosecutor’s office following a lengthy session lasting several hours. The prosecutor’s office has imposed non-custodial preventive measures on him.
Bribery Allegations
According to Tomasz Tadla, the head of the Silesian Division, Sutryk is accused of bribing the former rector of Collegium Humanum to secure an MBA diploma without completing the required studies. Tadla explained that the diploma was subsequently used in municipal entities, allowing Sutryk to fraudulently obtain over 230,000 PLN by leveraging it as a qualification for supervisory board positions.
CBA Arrests Four Individuals
The Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) detained Sutryk at his residence on Thursday morning. Tadla revealed that the case involves four individuals, including Sutryk, the chairman of Wrocław Airport’s supervisory board Marian D., a former vice-rector of Collegium Humanum, and his wife.
While prosecutors sought pretrial detention for the former vice-rector and his wife, Sutryk and Marian D. were released under non-custodial measures. Sutryk was required to post bail of 200,000 PLN, submit to police supervision, and avoid contact with other participants in the investigation. Marian D. was similarly required to post 100,000 PLN in bail.
Alleged Bribery Mechanism
Prosecutors claim that the bribe was disguised as a consultancy agreement with the Wrocław Technology Park, under which Paweł C., the former rector of Collegium Humanum, received 75,000 PLN. Sutryk allegedly made an additional official payment of 9,500 PLN, bringing the total bribe amount to approximately 84,000 PLN. Furthermore, Paweł C. was reportedly granted a position on the council for activities at the Wrocław Technology Park.
Sutryk’s Response and Defense
Leaving the prosecutor’s office, Sutryk denied the allegations, emphasizing his full cooperation during the investigation. “These matters have been discussed for almost two years now. While the claims are not new to me, they are utterly absurd. We aim to clarify every aspect of this,” he told reporters, adding that he would continue his mayoral duties.
Sutryk insisted that there was no reason for him to resign. “If this had been related to my position, the prosecutor could have prohibited me from performing my duties, which has not happened,” he pointed out.
Collegium Humanum Case
The investigation into Collegium Humanum, now renamed Varsovia University of Business and Applied Sciences, involves allegations of issuing fraudulent MBA diplomas in exchange for bribes. Since its establishment in 2018, the private institution allegedly offered fast-track MBA programs at significantly lower costs. These qualifications facilitated access to positions on state-owned companies’ supervisory boards.
The CBA has detained about 30 individuals connected to the case, with charges totaling 150 counts. Sutryk and other suspects face up to 10 years in prison if convicted, with harsher penalties possible for those who repeatedly profited from criminal activities.