The corruption scandal involving Jacek Karnowski, the president of the coastal city of Sopot, may reach a dead end and the suspect may escape the punishment due to lack of evidence.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Sopot does not possess vital evidence against Karnowski, particularly a dictaphone with original recording of the president’s alleged corrupt offer, informs radio RMF FM.
Karnowski allegedly tried to bribe businessman Slawomir Julke, demanding money from Julke in return of his approval to build an attic on a tenement house owned by the businessman from Sopot.
In July 2008, Julke revealed details of their conversation and claimed that the lawyer's office, recommended to him by Karnowski - which was supposed to help him in buying a department store – had in fact tried to halt the transaction.
The dictaphone used by Julke to record Karnowski, was later destroyed by the businessman. Thus the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Sopot does not possess the original recording of the alleged corruption offer, only a copy of it, which may not be accepted as proof against Karnowski. By the courts
Karnowski faces several charges and he may spend up to ten years in prison if found guilty.
According to an opinion poll conducted by the daily Gazeta Wyborcza, 86 percent of the inhabitants of Sopot support their president and want the charges against him dismissed. (mg/pg)
source: PAP