Valdas Tumelis appointed acting mayor of Marijampolė after Isoda’s mandate revoked

The Central Electoral Commission (VRK) has revoked the mandate of Marijampolė Mayor Povilas Isoda, leading the municipal council to appoint Social Democrat Valdas Tumelis as acting mayor, reported LRT.

Tumelis, previously the deputy mayor, will serve until the next local elections in 2027. The council voted 19-0 in favor of his appointment, with four abstentions, during a meeting on Monday.

The VRK’s decision followed a court ruling that found Isoda guilty in a criminal case involving the misuse of public funds, commonly referred to as the “čekiukai” (vouchers) scandal. Under electoral law, a mayor’s mandate must be revoked once a guilty verdict takes effect.

Since the next regular municipal elections are less than a year away, no special election will be held. Instead, the council-appointed acting mayor will serve until then.

Isoda was convicted of abuse of office, fraud, and document forgery. He received a final fine of 10,000 euros, payable within two months, and a three-year ban from public service. The court ruled that his actions caused significant financial and reputational damage, undermining public trust in local institutions.

According to case details, Isoda submitted 26 falsified expense summaries and 11 reimbursement reports to the municipality’s accounting department, fraudulently obtaining 2,479 euros in public funds. He had served as mayor since 2019 and was re-elected for a second term in 2023. Isoda has announced plans to appeal the verdict.