Lithuania’s Supreme Court upholds conviction of former Alytus mayor in expense fraud case

Lithuania’s Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Algirdas Vrubliauskas, the former mayor of Alytus district and current municipal council member, upholding his conviction in a high-profile expense fraud case known as the “čekiukų” (receipts) scandal, LRT reports.

The court ruled that Vrubliauskas remains rightfully convicted of document forgery, fraud, and abuse of office, affirming lower courts’ findings that the evidence against him was lawful, credible, and impartially assessed. The panel of judges—Arūnas Budrys, Darius Kantaravičius, and chairman Oleg Fedosiuk—determined that his actions “clearly exceeded the legal boundaries of a municipal council member’s authority.”

Vrubliauskas had argued that expenses—including unusually large fuel purchases and heavy-machinery parts—were legitimate costs incurred in his official capacity. However, appellate judges previously dismissed this claim, noting the scale and frequency of purchases were inconsistent with council duties. The Supreme Court further ruled that the “severity, persistence, and scope” of his violations precluded any lesser penalty than criminal liability.

The case stems from a 2024 Kaunas Regional Court verdict, which found Vrubliauskas guilty of embezzling nearly €20,000 in municipal funds during his tenure as mayor and council member, using the money for diesel fuel and vehicle repairs. He was fined €25,000 and barred from holding public office for three years. Though Vrubliauskas repaid the funds—calling their misuse an “embarrassing mistake”—he maintained his innocence in court, while acknowledging procedural errors.

His defense had also sought to delay proceedings pending parliamentary amendments to the Criminal Code that could reduce penalties for abuse-of-office cases not involving major financial damage. The courts rejected this request, citing current legal standards.

Vrubliauskas lost his council seat in September 2025 after the guilty verdict took effect. His final appeal to the Supreme Court has now exhausted all legal remedies.