Lithuania’s ethics watchdog launches probe into Šiauliai mayor over potential conflict of interest

The Lithuanian Chief Official Ethics Commission (VTEK) has opened an investigation into Šiauliai Mayor Artūras Visockas over allegations he failed to avoid a conflict of interest when setting the salary of Tomas Petreikis, director of the municipality-owned energy company Šiaulių šviesa, LRT reports.

Visockas signed an order in May last year adjusting Petreikis’ base salary coefficient, variable pay, and bonus. The commission will examine whether the mayor had a private interest in the decision, which may have violated the Law on Coordination of Public and Private Interests requiring officials to recuse themselves in such cases.

The probe follows reports that Visockas, currently facing criminal charges in a separate case, allegedly attempted to influence Petreikis—then a witness in that investigation—when determining his compensation. VTEK will also verify whether Visockas properly updated his declaration of private interests.

Under the mayor’s order, Petreikis’ monthly salary coefficient rose from 2.5 to 3.6 (up to €6,427), while his 2023 bonus reached €17,854, bringing his total annual earnings to over €83,000. The investigation was initiated based on information provided by a whistleblower and additional data gathered by VTEK.

Visockas is separately charged in a criminal case involving a €1.7 million public procurement for street lighting, accused of abuse of office and attempting to influence a witness. He has previously denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations baseless.