Seven Lithuanian Politicians Suspected of Misusing Municipal Funds

Seven Lithuanian politicians are under suspicion for allegedly abusing their positions, committing fraud, and forging documents in relation to their council member activity expense reports. The Special Investigation Service (STT) is leading the investigation into these allegations.

The core of the accusations centers on the politicians submitting reports that allegedly contained false information about fuel and other expenses. This alleged misrepresentation is suspected of causing financial damage to the respective municipalities.

Specific figures have been named in connection with the alleged financial harm. Birštonas council member Darius Šeškevičius is accused of causing a loss of 9,689 euros. Former Prienai district council member Gintautas Bartulis allegedly caused a loss of 5,023 euros, while current council member Simona Vaicekauskaitė-Šalčė from the same district is implicated for 3,133 euros. Former Radviliškis district council member Gabrielius Verdingas is suspected of causing 2,290 euros in damage, and council member Vida Janulaitienė from the same municipality for 2,340 euros. Additionally, former Marijampolė council member Karolis Dvylys is accused of a 940 euro loss, and former Jonava district council member Birutė Gailienė faces allegations of 6,924 euros in damages. Gailienė also faces separate suspicions of property misappropriation.

These investigations are part of a broader effort by the STT to scrutinize the use of municipal funds. Currently, the STT is conducting pre-trial investigations into the potentially improper use of municipal funds in 24 different municipalities. Since 2023, the STT has reviewed approximately 1,100 cases involving council members' potentially illegal expense claims across 41 municipalities, with about 850 cases having been analyzed thus far.