Malinauskas and former judges’ corruption case concluded, verdict in July

Vilnius, Lithuania — The Court of Appeal on Monday concluded hearings in a high-profile corruption case involving bribery, influence peddling, and illicit enrichment, in which Druskininkai Mayor Ričardas Malinauskas is among the accused. The verdict is scheduled to be delivered on July 9.

The case, investigated by prosecutors, centred on allegations that Malinauskas, through intermediaries, paid bribes to ensure favourable court rulings in a civil dispute over the so-called Vijūnėlė Manor, preventing its demolition. The mayor has consistently denied wrongdoing, claiming the case was fabricated.

During his final statement, Malinauskas spoke for about an hour, recounting his upbringing and comparing the presiding judge, Evaldas Gražys, to his strict father. He described efforts to develop Druskininkai over the past decade and claimed that after refusing an offer of cooperation from businessman Juozas Šarkus, he faced intensified persecution, which he alleged was orchestrated by influential figures including businessman Valdas Trinkūnas and media outlets.

“They wanted to destroy me as a person,” Malinauskas told the court.

He reiterated that no cash was ever paid as bribes, asserting that any payments were legitimate legal fees. “I never had anything to pay bribes with because nothing illegal was done. I never allocated money for bribes or influence peddling,” he said.

In 2024, the Kaunas Regional Court found Malinauskas guilty of bribery and imposed a €60,000 fine. Former Supreme Court of Lithuania judge Egidijus Laužikas, accused of accepting a bribe to halt the demolition of the manor, was fined €10,400 and ordered to forfeit €10,000 received as a bribe. Aivaras Kadziauskas, a former advisor to Malinauskas and current Druskininkai council member, was fined €42,600 for facilitating the bribe; prosecutors had sought a €60,000 penalty.

Other defendants received fines ranging from €14,500 to €47,000. Former Court of Appeal judge Viktoras Kažys and Laimonas Vaškevičius were acquitted of all charges. Former Supreme Court judge’s assistant Airingas Kartanas was also acquitted.