Convicted former Druskininkai mayor takes advisory post

Ričardas Malinauskas, who was convicted in a corruption case and removed as mayor, has worked as the chief adviser to Druskininkai’s municipal administration director since Friday, LRT reported, citing BNS.

Vaiva Gražulytė, head of the municipality’s Tourism, Communications and Culture Division, confirmed the appointment. The administration is currently headed by director Vilma Jurgelevičienė.

Malinauskas said he had been assigned various tasks, “from NATO and security to nuclear weapons, including all sorts of other small matters.”

Violeta Grigorienė was temporarily appointed mayor of Druskininkai on Monday, while Modestas Vitkauskas became her deputy. Both represent the majority faction For Druskininkai.

Malinauskas’s powers as mayor were revoked after the Court of Appeal last week upheld his conviction for bribery, offering bribes, influence peddling and illicit enrichment. The court fined him 60,000 euros.

He has already paid the fine and will therefore be eligible to stand in next year’s mayoral elections. As less than a year remains until the regular direct mayoral elections, Druskininkai will not hold a separate election for a new mayor. Grigorienė will serve until the municipal council and mayoral elections next spring.

Malinauskas led the municipality from 2000.