Šiauliai politician appeals conviction in expense fraud case, seeks €6,000 reimbursement

A Lithuanian politician convicted of falsifying expense claims has appealed his sentence and demanded the state reimburse €6,000 in legal fees, LRT reports.

Gintautas Lukošaitis, a Šiauliai City Council member found guilty in the so-called “čekiukų” (receipts) scandal, is challenging the January ruling by Šiauliai Regional Court. His lawyer, Dominykas Vanhara, submitted documents to Vilnius Court of Appeals on Thursday, requesting the annulment of the conviction and compensation for legal costs.

The defence argues the lower court relied on assumptions rather than evidence and claims the case was handled by a potentially biased judge. Vanhara highlighted that another council member, Saulius Stasiūnas, faced identical charges but was acquitted in a separate case.

Lukošaitis, a sculptor elected to the council on the “Artūras Visockas List – Working for the City” ticket, was previously fined €5,000 and barred from public office for three years. Prosecutors alleged he falsified 31 expense reports between 2019 and 2023, fraudulently claiming €1,644 in fuel reimbursements unrelated to his council duties.

The court had ruled his actions damaged public trust and the municipality’s reputation. However, the sentence has not yet taken effect pending the appeal.

This marks Lukošaitis’s second legal battle over expense claims. A civil court previously ordered him to repay over €11,000 in unjustified payments received during his 2019–2023 term. That ruling is now final.

The next hearing is scheduled for September 24, where Lukošaitis is expected to testify. “I truly have something to say,” he told the court.