Vaicekauskas to appeal conviction in receipts case

Prienai district Mayor Alvydas Vaicekauskas says he will appeal his conviction in the so-called receipts case, LRT reported Wednesday.

“I will appeal the decision,” Vaicekauskas told BNS. He said he and his defence lawyer saw flaws in the ruling and argued that the court had not taken his explanations and evidence into account.

The Alytus District Court of First Instance found Vaicekauskas guilty on Monday of abuse of office, document forgery and fraud. It fined him 7,500 euros and barred him for three years from holding elected or appointed positions in state and municipal institutions, their agencies and companies.

The court said Vaicekauskas forged 17 advance expense reports and abused his position to obtain 1,100 euros in municipal funds, causing significant non-material damage to local government by undermining public trust. It found that he deliberately sought fuel reimbursements unlawfully by repeatedly submitting receipts paid for with cards belonging to other people.

The case was referred to court in June last year. After law enforcement began investigating him, Vaicekauskas suspended his membership in the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party and denied committing a crime.