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by thrw99 429 days ago
> due to financial management "problems"

those problems were not management, founder of Optimus- Roman Kluska is one of the most briliant minds in Poland, even today. Problems were caused by the state itself, first directing Optimus to book VAT in certain way, and then the same state accusing Optimus of defrauding VAT. Roman Kluska was imprisoned and had to pay 8mln PLN to be bailed, later when he was deemed not guilty that money was never returned to him, not to mention all damage they caused to himself and his business. These are leftovers of communism aparatus, nobody liable for anything.
3 comments
pndy 429 days ago
Thus "problems"; I didn't want to dive into whole story because this tree is already off-topic for a different period. Tho, thanks for a few additional words.
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cheraderama 428 days ago
I knew a person who worked in an important role in Optimus in the early days... I have a very different image of Roman Kluska.
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thrw99 428 days ago
Good for you, friend, he surely is no saint- none of us is. But it is fact that all information served in Polish media about him were lies- proven in court when he was released from all charges. I can't remember media lounching the campaign to tell the truth, at the same magnitude they were spreading lies. And it is also true that he was the one to build Optimus from scratch, he started in his garrage- very much the story of Polish startup to learn from. Personally I know very few people who really liked their boss, and sadly this was especially true among Polish people in the '90s. I personally know business owners of the time who were stolen from by their management and employees. Finally, Roman Kluska being devote Catholic makes him many enemies simply because of that fact.
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cromka 429 days ago
I actually heard the administration was specifically bribed to oust Kluska by the HP who were entering the market at that time.

It’s a rumor but considering how corrupt was everything back then, I find it completely plausible since otherwise it would be against Polish raison d’etat to kill a strong, homegrown computer manufacturer.

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