Corruption trial concludes over misuse of municipal property by Alytus officials

A Kaunas regional court has completed hearings in a criminal case involving the misappropriation of municipal property by former Alytus district officials, including ex-mayor Algirdas Vrubliauskas, who allegedly retained and used work-issued iPhones and other equipment after leaving office, LRT reports.

The case centres on a 2023 Alytus district council meeting where officials approved the write-off of municipal property, including iPhones and tablets, claiming the devices were defective. Council member Justas Truncė raised concerns during the session, questioning why high-value items like iPhones—purchased at significant cost—were being decommissioned as worthless without verification.

An investigation by Lithuania’s Special Investigations Service later confirmed the phones remained operational. Mobile network data showed the devices were actively used for calls and messaging, contradicting claims of damage. Prosecutors allege the write-off was a coordinated effort to misappropriate public assets.

Former mayor Vrubliauskas faces accusations of retaining an iPad Pro (valued over €608), an iPhone 13 Pro (over €649), and an iPhone 14 Pro (over €1,300). He denies the charges. Also indicted are former council member Gintarė Jociunskaitė, accused of organising the scheme while serving as administration director (2019–2023), and two municipal employees, Nijolė Radžiūnienė and Andrius Kuzmauskas, for their roles in falsifying defect reports.

Prosecutors argue the private sector “expert” listed in the defect reports never inspected the devices, which were falsely declared unusable. They seek a €7,500 fine for Vrubliauskas and a four-year ban from public service, along with restitution for the misappropriated property.

All defendants have pleaded not guilty. The court’s verdict is pending.