Mayor of Sopot Jacek Karnowski; photo - east news

Civic Platform has chosen Jacek Karnowski as its candidate for the mayor elections in of Sopot on the Baltic coast this autumn, even though he is currently under investigation for property fraud.

“Karnowski is a very good councilor and deserves Civic Platform’s support,” said Slawomir Nowak, head of the coastal division of the party. “We believe that he is clean and we take responsibility for him,” added Nowak referring to the corruption allegations put on Karnowski.

“[Incumbent mayor] Karnowski is a great politician. For twenty years he either ruled or co-ruled one of the most developed cities in Poland,” said Civic Platform MP Jaroslaw Gowin,. “I find charges against Karnowski ridiculous. If it is necessary, I’ll support him in his campaign,” added Gowin.

Yet, voters in the coastal city of Sopot will decide whether charges against Karnowski are serious enough to deprive him of power.

The Prosecutor’s Office in Gdansk preferred eight corruption charges against Karnowski after it was alleged that in July 2008 he tried to bribe businessman Slawomir Julke, demanding two apartments in exchange for issuing a permit to rebuild a historic tenant house.

Julke recorded the conversation containing the alleged bribe offer and filed it at police headquarters.

If found guilty, Karnowski might spend up to ten years in prison.

The Prosecutor’s Office wanted to remove Karnowski from his post before the end of his term of office but residents of Sopot supported Karnowski in a referendum. (mg)

Source: IAR, PAP