The complaint also highlights that between 2021 and 2023, a number of promotional and advertising services were contracted, not for the promotion of Grupa Azoty, its brand, or products, but primarily in the interests of other entities. These entities included a political party and its committee, as well as media companies and event organizers that supported and promoted the political party in question.

The complaint has been filed with the District Prosecutor’s Office in Tarnów.

“As I’ve stated before, we are committed to reporting any cases where we have reasonable grounds to suspect criminal activity. In just a few months of 2023, over PLN 7.5 million was spent on sponsorship, advertising, and donations, despite the fact that Grupa Azoty was in urgent need of a recovery plan and an immediate halt to such expenditures. Today, we are forced to make difficult decisions regarding cost optimizations, including the suspension of expensive provisions in collective labor agreements. Our goal is clear: to stabilize the Group’s financial situation, but we also have an obligation to our employees to investigate any irregularities uncovered through audits. The financial situation we inherited at Grupa Azoty in March leaves no room for compromise in this area,” said Adam Leszkiewicz, President of Grupa Azoty S.A.

Since Q4 2022, Grupa Azoty has recorded unprecedented levels of net losses. In response, a cost-saving program was introduced in late February 2023. According to the regulations implemented, only expenditures necessary for the continuity of production processes or critical maintenance work were permitted. Despite this, the company continued its sponsorship and promotional activities unchanged throughout 2023. According to the complaint, all expenses related to sponsorship activities were in violation of the cost-saving program introduced by the Management Board.

Additionally, in May 2023, changes were made to the company’s Social and Sponsorship Policy, which allowed for the continuation of sponsorship activities despite the company’s financial losses and unfavorable forecasts.

Based on the recommendations of the Grupa Azoty S.A. Management Board, audits are currently underway across the entire Capital Group to review the operations of its subsidiaries in recent years. These audits are linked to the record losses the Group has been reporting since Q4 2022, the lack of effective remedial actions, ongoing investments, and the contracts signed. As a result of these investigations, Grupa Azoty has already filed initial complaints with the prosecutor’s office, including those concerning the Polish National Foundation, non-compete agreements, and the former President of Chemik Police. In the coming days and weeks, Grupa Azoty intends to take similar actions in other areas.