Czeslaw Malkowski, former mayor of the northern city of Olsztyn wants to run in the local elections this November even though he is under investigation for sexual abuse of employees.
In November 2008, Malkowski was dismissed as mayor of Olsztyn after being charged with sexual abuse of subordinates.
“Nothing can stop me from running in the elections. Police, prosecutors and tax office checked me and if I had done something illegal, it would have been revealed by now,” Malkowski told the Gazeta Wyborcza daily.
The former mayor of Olsztyn compared himself to Jacek Karnowski, mayor of the coastal city of Sopot, who has been allegedly involved in a property bribing scandal. “Karnowski was a victim of provocation. Nevertheless he will strive to be reelected,” said Malkowski.
In January 2008, Olsztyn town hall employees accused Malkowski of sexual harassment and rape. The Prosecutor’s Office in Bialystok decided to arrest the mayor and charge him with sex abuse. Malkowski spent six months in custody.
In November 2008, residents of Olsztyn dismissed Malkowski from office in a referendum. The investigation into the case is to finish in December.
In this year’s municipal elections Malkowski will face Piotr Grzymowicz (Polish Peasant’s Party), former mayor of Olsztyn Janusz Cichon (Civic Platform) and Marcin Kulasek (the Democratic Left Alliance). (mg)