Paweł S. charged with organized crime and money laundering

Paweł S., the creator and owner of the Red is Bad fashion brand, was tracked down by Polish police in the Dominican Republic and was arrested by local law enforcement last week. He had been wanted in connection with the investigation into irregularities at the Government Strategic Reserves Agency (RARS). Since October 10, S. had been sought under an Interpol red notice. Previously, a wanted notice and a European arrest warrant had been issued against him.

On Thursday morning, S. was brought to the Katowice prosecutor's office. At 5 PM, it was reported that S. had been charged and that he would not be further interrogated on that day, but that investigators would continue in the following days. Paweł S. has been charged with participation in an organized crime group and money laundering.

"The prosecutor, in accordance with procedure, presented the suspect with charges. These charges include participation in an organized crime group and committing crimes within that group alongside other officials from the Government Strategic Reserves Agency, as well as, in the case of this suspect, the charge of money laundering," said prosecutor Tomasz Tadla, head of the Silesian branch of the National Prosecutor's Office.

"These actions will continue over the next few days. We do not disclose whether the suspect is providing explanations and what they are," added the head of the Silesian branch of the PK.

Shortly after this statement, however, a message appeared on the National Prosecutor's Office website informing that Paweł S. had provided explanations. "At this stage of the proceedings, we do not provide information about their content," it was added.

Asked by journalists whether confrontations with other suspects in the investigation are planned, prosecutor Tadla replied that he could not disclose such information. He also gave the same response regarding the health status of Paweł S. He confirmed, however, that Paweł S. is currently represented by a single attorney.

After the conclusion of Thursday's interrogation, attorney Jacek Dubois, now the sole representative of Paweł S., spoke to reporters.

Dubois was asked about his client's mental condition. "He is definitely very tired. It was quite a long journey (from the Dominican Republic - ed.), surely a sleepless night, an exhausting interrogation," said the lawyer, adding that his client "went to rest." "I hope a bit of sleep will do him good."

The investigation into irregularities at the Government Strategic Reserves Agency, initiated on December 1, 2023, concerns, among other things, the abuse of authority and neglect of duties by RARS employees during the organization and implementation of goods purchases, thereby acting to the detriment of public interest from February 23, 2021, to November 27, 2023, in Warsaw, with the aim of obtaining financial benefits.

The prosecutor has charged a total of five individuals. The charges involve participation in an organized crime group, abuse of authority by public officials, and, in the case of one suspect, money laundering.

In addition to S., former RARS president Michał K. is also suspected in the investigation. The prosecutor accuses him of participating in an organized crime group, as well as abuse of authority and neglect of duties for the purpose of obtaining financial benefits. He faces a potential sentence of 10 years in prison.