Lithuanian Courts End 'Check Fraud' Cases Against Local Politicians

Courts have upheld prosecutors' decisions to terminate investigations into "check fraud" cases involving several Lithuanian local politicians. The proceedings, which centered on allegations of misappropriating funds and abusing official positions, have concluded without convictions for some.

In Pagėgiai, council member Gražina Jankauskienė reached a settlement with the municipal administration, agreeing to compensate for damages and be released from the investigation. She had been suspected of submitting inaccurate expense reports for mobile equipment, communication, and fuel, causing a loss of 700 euros to the municipality.

Similarly, investigations into Palanga city council member Dainius Želvio and former council member Saulius Simė were terminated. Želvys was suspected of abusing his position and submitting false fuel expense reports between 2019 and 2023, allegedly causing over 1,400 euros in damages. Simė faced similar accusations for submitting inaccurate fuel expense reports between 2019 and 2021, resulting in over 500 euros in damages to the Palanga municipality.

Prosecutors determined that insufficient evidence existed to prove the guilt of the accused in these Palanga cases. In a separate case, Tauragė district council member Rita Grigalienė was released from criminal liability under probation. She admitted to misappropriating over 3,200 euros through fraudulent fuel expense claims between 2019 and 2022. Grigalienė expressed remorse, compensated the damages, and was placed on probation for one year, with a requirement to pay 2,600 euros to a fund for crime victims.