The District Prosecutor's Office in Rzeszów has charged Sanok Mayor Tomasz Matuszewski with abuse of power and political corruption dating back to January 9, 2025, subsequently suspending him from office. The official has pleaded not guilty, announced he will appeal the decision in court, and dismissed the case as a political maneuver ahead of the referendum scheduled for November 15, 2026. Officers from the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) delegation in Rzeszów detained the mayor at his home on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Corruption charges from the Rzeszów District Prosecutor's Office
Spokesman for the Rzeszów prosecutor's office, Prosecutor Krzysztof Ciechanowski, informed on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, that the investigation concerns the promise of financial or personal benefits to a public official. According to investigators, Matuszewski made a proposal to a Sanok City Council member. In exchange for employment at a municipal company, he expected support in votes and the persuasion of another councilor to back city hall projects.
The investigation was launched in April 2026 following a report by councilor Grzegorz Nogaj. Documentation and data storage devices were seized during the operation. The suspect provided brief explanations, the content of which the prosecutor's office is not disclosing for the good of the investigation. The alleged offense carries a penalty of 6 months to 8 years in prison.
In addition to the suspension, the prosecutor applied non-custodial preventive measures: a 30,000 PLN bail, police supervision with a ban on contacting a specific witness, and a ban on leaving the country.
Mayor's reaction and the local referendum context
Matuszewski published a video on social media opposing the prosecutor's measures. "The court will assess their validity. The truth must be established based on evidence," he stated. He described the suspension before a court verdict as a politically motivated move given the timing of the referendum. He also declared he would present his own evidence and call witnesses in court.
The dispute in Sanok has been ongoing since the 2024 local elections. In August, councilors passed a resolution to hold a referendum on recalling the mayor, accusing him of causing a financial crisis. According to data from the Local Government Portal, the city's debt at the end of last year was approximately 170 million PLN.
The City Council twice refused to grant Matuszewski a vote of confidence and discharge. The Regional Audit Chamber issued a negative opinion on Sanok's 2025 budget draft, forcing the implementation of a recovery program.
The conflict has also moved into the legal and administrative sphere. The official filed a request with the Ministry of the Interior and Administration to dissolve the council, which he opposes, but the ministry rejected the request. He also filed reports with the prosecutor's office regarding alleged irregularities in a resolution submitted to the Regional Audit Chamber by council chairman Sławomir Miklicz, as well as a matter concerning the lease of municipal land for a bike park. Miklicz, in turn, accused the mayor of misleading the public regarding Sanok's finances. The referendum vote is set for November 15, 2026.
Sources
- Polsat News: Corruption charges for Sanok mayor. "Just before the referendum"
- RMF24: Sanok mayor suspended. Faces corruption charges
- Interia Fakty: CBA operation in Podkarpacie. Mayor charged
- Gazeta.pl: Prosecutor charges for Sanok mayor. Concerns, among others, a bribe for a councilor
Article prepared with the help of artificial intelligence based on: Polsat News, RMF24, Interia Fakty, Gazeta.pl. Facts checked automatically against these sources. The Wiadomości PRO newsroom is responsible for this publication.
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