The case dates back to before Bartoszewski entered politics. From 2004, prosecutors say, he was entrusted with managing the assets of Andrzej Ciechanowiecki, his godfather and a friend of his late father, former foreign minister Władysław Bartoszewski. Prosecutors say he used some of the money to buy and renovate three apartments in Warsaw between 2005 and 2006.
Bartoszewski became an MP for the centre-right Polish People's Party (PSL) in 2019 and was made deputy foreign minister in 2023 after PSL became a junior partner in the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
After Ciechanowiecki and the associated Non Omnis Moriar Foundation terminated their agreements in 2012 and demanded the return of funds, prosecutors say Bartoszewski took steps to prevent recovery. A company owned by him and his wife sold three apartments in Warsaw, after which the couple disposed of their shares in the company. His wife also donated a property to their underage children. “As a result of these actions, Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski and his wife possess no assets from which the creditor's claims could be satisfied,” prosecutors said.
In March 2024, a Warsaw court ordered Bartoszewski to pay the foundation more than 13.2 million zloty, plus interest, but the judgment is not yet binding as an appeal is pending. Earlier this year, the prosecutor general asked parliament to lift Bartoszewski's immunity, but he voluntarily waived it on 6 October. On Tuesday, prosecutors announced charges of misappropriation of funds of significant value, specifically £1 million, €405,000 and 6,683,705 zloty, and of taking steps to prevent or reduce recovery of money owed to a creditor. The charges carry sentences of up to 10 years for the first count and up to five years for the second.
Bartoszewski said he “will defend the truth and my good name in every instance, for as long as necessary”. He previously told newspaper Fakt that he “absolutely does not feel guilty”. Asked whether the prime minister would dismiss Bartoszewski, government spokesperson Adam Szłapka said the deputy minister is currently on leave and decisions regarding the matter will be made upon his return.