Prosecutors seek to recover €66,000 in allegedly misused funds from three municipal politicians

Lithuanian prosecutors have filed civil claims to recover a total of €66,000 from three municipal council members in Alytus, Vilkaviškis, and Marijampolė districts, alleging they improperly claimed reimbursements for personal expenses, LRT reports.

The Kaunas Regional Prosecutor’s Office has submitted the claims to Marijampolė District Court, accusing the politicians of unjust enrichment through inflated or unfounded expense reports tied to their council duties.

In the highest-profile case, prosecutors demand that Alvydas Kirkliauskas, a Marijampolė council member, repay over €13,100. Investigators found that between 2019 and 2023, Kirkliauskas claimed reimbursements for 9,000 litres of fuel—including during pandemic lockdowns when remote work was mandatory—alongside questionable repairs, phone bills for multiple subscribers, and office supplies. A €1,576 computer purchase was also flagged as unjustified.

Kęstutis Spūdys, another Marijampolė councilor, faces a €15,400 recovery claim. Prosecutors allege he billed the municipality for excessive vehicle maintenance (including monthly repairs in 2019), fuel for two cars, and mobile plans for up to five subscribers simultaneously. Receipts showed purchases of two phones and fuel quantities exceeding his declared usage.

Rimvydas Palubinskas, a Vilkaviškis district councilor, is accused of submitting €9,900 in fraudulent claims, primarily for 7,500 litres of diesel—enough to drive 88,000 km—despite pandemic restrictions. Prosecutors noted discrepancies in his fuel purchases, including benzene for purportedly diesel-powered vehicles and quantities exceeding a standard car’s tank capacity.

The cases proceed under civil law, with prosecutors arguing the expenses lacked legitimate ties to council work. No criminal charges have been announced.