Prosecutor seeks conviction and ban for Prienai mayor in expense fraud case

Prosecutors have requested that Prienai Mayor Alvydas Vaicekauskas be found guilty of document falsification, abuse of office, and misappropriation of municipal property in the so-called “čekiukų” (receipts) scandal, state news agency ELTA reports.

The Kaunas Regional Prosecutor’s Office asked the Alytus District Court to impose a €7,500 fine and a four-year ban on holding elected or appointed public office. Prosecutor Darius Valkavičius argued that the restrictions are necessary to prevent further criminal activity.

According to the pre-trial investigation by the Special Investigation Service (STT), Vaicekauskas allegedly falsified expense reports as a council member, submitting them to the municipality’s accounting department to fraudulently obtain around €1,113 in public funds for personal gain. He is also accused of abusing his official position to claim reimbursements for fuel expenses, which he later declared as personal purchases. Prosecutors stated that the financial damage has since been repaid.

During his 2019–2023 term, Vaicekauskas spent over €11,000 on fuel. Public declarations show that he and his wife possess assets worth more than €1 million, including a large farm. The 69-year-old mayor has consistently denied wrongdoing throughout the trial.