Prosecutors file claims against four more politicians in “receipts” corruption case

Lithuanian prosecutors have filed civil claims against four municipal politicians, seeking nearly €38,000 in allegedly unjustified reimbursements linked to the ongoing “receipts” corruption scandal, BNS reports.

The Kaunas Regional Prosecutor’s Office has submitted claims to recover funds from politicians in Marijampolė, Panevėžys, Lazdijai, and Rokiškis districts, accusing them of submitting inflated or fraudulent expense claims for fuel and vehicle costs during their 2019–2023 terms.

In Marijampolė, prosecutor’s demand former city council member Edmundas Razvickas repay nearly €12,000 after an investigation found he was reimbursed over €10,000 for fuel alone. Razvickas submitted receipts for both petrol and diesel purchases, despite his car running on diesel, and used 11 different payment cards for fuel expenses.

In Lazdijai district, ex-council member Daiva Barkauskienė faces a claim for over €12,000. Prosecutors allege she received reimbursements for more than 13,600 litres of fuel across 314 receipts, including purchases made outside the district and during lockdown periods. Barkauskienė used 17 different payment methods, including cash, for fuel expenses.

Rokiškis district council member Stanislovas Dambrauskas is accused of receiving €13,300 in unjustified transport reimbursements. Investigators determined that his claimed fuel costs—including nearly €1,900 during lockdown—were exaggerated, as his daily travel distances were deemed unrealistic given his proximity to the council offices.

Panevėžys city council member Arūnas Balčiūnas is being pursued for €640 in allegedly fraudulent reimbursements, including fuel purchases made in other municipalities and during lockdowns, as well as receipts paid with cards not belonging to him.

Since the scandal emerged, municipal council members nationwide have voluntarily returned over €1.9 million to local budgets. The case, widely referred to as the “receipts scandal,” centres on politicians submitting questionable expense claims for personal gain.