Lithuanian politician continued working and receiving salary after court banned him from public service

A Lithuanian court banned former Prienai district council member Cezaris Pacevičius from holding public office in January, yet he continued working and receiving a salary for nearly a month before the decision was formally enforced, LRT reports.

The Lithuanian Court of Appeal upheld a lower court’s conviction on January 5, finding Pacevičius guilty of abuse of office, fraud, and document forgery in the so-called “čekiukai” (voucher) case. The ruling immediately barred him from public service for three years and imposed an €8,000 fine.

Despite the ban, Pacevičius—elected to the Prienai district council under the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” ticket—remained active in his role until January 29, when the Central Electoral Commission (VRK) formally terminated his mandate. During this period, he participated in committee and council meetings, earning nearly €700 in salary.

According to Prienai district administration director Jūratė Mickevičienė, Pacevičius attended a January 27 meeting of the Economic Development, Finance, and Investment Committee and a full council session on January 29. His recorded salary for January totaled €1,078.80, with €693.67 paid out.

The VRK confirmed the delay, stating it required official documentation—including an excerpt from the Register of Suspects, Accused, and Convicted Persons—before issuing its decision. The commission received the court’s ruling on January 15 and acted on January 29.

Pacevičius was convicted of falsifying expense reports between 2019–2023, fraudulently claiming over €7,500 in fuel reimbursements for council activities. Investigators found the expenses were paid using others’ bank cards, with no legitimate connection to his duties.