Ethics watchdog launches probe into Vilkaviškys council member Palubinskas
Thursday 23rd July 2026 on 06:45 in
Lithuania
The Lithuanian Chief Official Ethics Commission (VTEK) has launched an investigation into whether Rimvydas Palubinskas, a member of the Vilkaviškys District Municipal Council, abused his official position for personal gain, LRT reports.
The commission will assess whether Palubinskas improperly used his status as a council member when he requested documents related to the results of a 2025 public initiative competition from the municipal administration. Palubinskas had submitted an application to the competition as a private individual.
VTEK will also examine whether Palubinskas failed to separate public and private interests while potentially representing the Alvito Village Community or its chairperson during a July 4, 2025 meeting of the Vilkaviškys District Municipal Council’s Control Committee. The meeting reportedly addressed a complaint from the Alvito Village Community regarding the competition.
The investigation follows a decision by the Vilkaviškys District Municipal Council’s Ethics Commission on April 24, 2026, concerning Palubinskas’ conduct. VTEK has raised concerns about the thoroughness of the previous investigation and the possible misapplication of the Law on the Coordination of Public and Private Interests.