Prienai mayor seeks acquittal in 'check fraud' trial

Prienai Mayor Algirdas Vaicekauskas has pleaded for a just verdict and acquittal in his trial concerning alleged misuse of municipal funds for fuel, commonly referred to as the "check fraud" case. During his final statement, the mayor asserted, "Throughout my entire working career, I have strived to work honestly. I simply ask for a just decision and acquittal."

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Throughout my entire working career, I have strived to work honestly. I simply ask for a just decision and acquittal.

Presiding Judge Inga Liubinienė announced that the court's decision would be delivered on September 28th. This delay is attributed to the substantial volume of evidence requiring evaluation and the judge's existing caseload. The defense, led by lawyer Audrius Pėstininkas, argued for Vaicekauskas's exoneration. Pėstininkas drew parallels and distinctions with other "check fraud" cases involving politicians, notably referencing a recent ruling against the former Marijampolė mayor, Povilas Isoda.

Pėstininkas highlighted that while the Isoda case involved unjustified fuel expenses, internet, and phone services totaling a significant sum, Vaicekauskas's case concerns over 1,000 euros. He pointed out that Isoda used 23 cards, with six unidentified, whereas Vaicekauskas's case involves 10 cards, four belonging to him. The defense attorney emphasized that Isoda's defense strategy was inconsistent, and the appellate court found his actions systematic, even including fuel receipts from parents who did not live with him. In contrast, Vaicekauskas provided explanations before the proceedings, supported by witnesses.

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I drew parallels and distinctions with other 'check fraud' cases involving politicians, notably referencing a recent ruling against the former Marijampolė mayor, Povilas Isoda.

The lawyer also questioned the very basis of such cases, suggesting they might not have arisen without intervention from influential public figures. "If someone else had approached, we would have received an answer with ultima ratio, that they wouldn't even initiate an investigation," he remarked, referring to the principle that criminal prosecution should be a last resort. Investigations into "check fraud" cases began two years ago after public activist Andrius Tapinas initiated a probe, "Skaidrinam," into how local government politicians were appropriating funds. This investigation brought numerous municipalities under scrutiny. Tapinas's research revealed that Vaicekauskas, a Social Democrat, had used nearly 14,000 euros from the municipal budget during his 2019–2023 term, paying for fuel with seven different cards. His daughter, Simona Vaicekauskaitė-Šalčė, also a Social Democrat and currently an advisor to the mayor of Birštonas, allegedly engaged in similar practices, using municipal funds for fuel and potentially smart TV services. The STT announced in early August that Vaicekauskas's daughter had also been served with suspicions, which the mayor confirmed.

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If someone else had approached, we would have received an answer with ultima ratio, that they wouldn't even initiate an investigation.