Polish Anti-Corruption Agency Detains Presidential Aide and TV Commentator Over Foundation Funds
Central Anti-Corruption Bureau officers in Warsaw arrested presidential official Anna Plakwicz and TV Republika commentator Piotr Matczuk on Wednesday morning over the 2017 Fair Courts billboard campaign.
Morning arrests in Warsaw
Officers from Poland's Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA) detained Anna Plakwicz and Piotr Matczuk in Warsaw on Wednesday morning, 23 September 2026. Plakwicz serves as director of the Presidential Events Bureau in the chancellery of President Karol Nawrocki, while Matczuk works as a commentator and coordinator for TV Republika. The operation was ordered by the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Rzeszów, which instructed agents to transfer both individuals to Rzeszów for formal proceedings. Special services coordinator spokesperson Jacek Dobrzyński confirmed the actions during a press briefing.
This is a very serious criminal case. These individuals are suspected of committing criminal offenses, which is why they were detained by CBA agents.
The 2017 campaign and financial losses
The investigation examines the 2017 billboard campaign titled "Sprawiedliwe Sądy" (Fair Courts), funded by the Polish National Foundation (PFN). Plakwicz and Matczuk co-founded Solvere, the consulting firm contracted to organize the initiative while both were employed in the Prime Minister's Office under Beata Szydło. Matczuk led the Government Information Centre, while Plakwicz headed the Media Services Department. Prosecutors suspect that PFN board members committed abuse of power and dereliction of duty in 2017, causing financial losses of at least 8.428 million PLN to the foundation. PFN was established in 2016 by 17 State Treasury companies, including Orlen, PGE, PKO Bank Polski, Tauron, and PZU, with a mandate to promote Poland abroad.
- PFN is established by 17 Polish State Treasury companies to promote the country abroad.
- Solvere executes the Fair Courts billboard campaign under a contract with PFN.
- PFN purchases the yacht I love Poland for €900,000.
- The Supreme Audit Office files a crime notice regarding obstructed access to PFN records.
- Warsaw District Prosecutor opens an investigation into 2017 PFN board actions.
- CBA charges former PFN executives Cezary J. and Maciej Ś. over campaign and party financing.
- CBA detains Solvere founders Anna Plakwicz and Piotr Matczuk in Warsaw.
Broader PFN investigation and earlier charges
The detention of the Solvere founders follows prior procedural actions against former PFN leadership. In late June 2024, the Warsaw District Prosecutor's Office initiated an inquiry into the foundation's 2017 finances before transferring the case to Rzeszów. In July 2026, CBA officers arrested former PFN president Cezary J. and former board member Maciej Ś., charging them with improper campaign financing as well as illicit financial transfers to the PiS and Solidarna Polska political parties. Both former executives pleaded not guilty, and prosecutors placed asset freezes on their property. The foundation also drew scrutiny in April 2021 when the Supreme Audit Office filed a formal crime notice regarding the obstruction of audit access.
Political reactions
The detentions generated immediate responses across Polish political and media circles. Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek commented on the procedural actions, stating that public expenditure on party messaging is being systematically reviewed.
A clear signal: the mechanisms of spending public money on party propaganda are being meticulously settled.
TV Republika head of publishers Jarosław Olechowski criticized the detention of Matczuk, describing the action as political revenge by the government for past informational campaigns targeting the judiciary. Rzeszów Regional Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Dorota Sokołowska-Mach confirmed that further official details will be issued after investigative procedures conclude.
