Prosecutors file three new civil lawsuits over unjust enrichment of local council members

Lithuania’s General Prosecutor’s Office has announced three new civil lawsuits against local council members in Panevėžys and Zarasai districts, seeking the recovery of over €24,000 in allegedly unjustified compensation payments, LRT reports.

The Panevėžys Regional Prosecutor’s Office has filed claims against three politicians—Osvaldas Dirsė, Olga Raugienė, and Gintaris Petrėnas—accusing them of receiving improper reimbursements for expenses during their 2019–2023 terms.

In the case of Osvaldas Dirsė, a current member of Panevėžys District Municipal Council, prosecutors demand the repayment of €5,800. An investigation found that more than half of the €9,400 he received in expense compensations lacked justification. This includes €1,900 for fuel during pandemic lockdowns, when travel was restricted, and €1,000 for petrol despite his use of a diesel vehicle. The remaining fuel reimbursements were deemed excessive, as Dirsė also used the car for personal and agricultural purposes.

Olga Raugienė, a former Zarasai District Municipal Council member, is accused of unjustly receiving €8,600. Though she repaid €3,500 in April 2024, prosecutors argue the overpayment was larger. During lockdowns, she claimed €3,300 in fuel expenses via 13 payment cards, some for petrol despite driving a diesel car.

Gintaris Petrėnas, another Zarasai council member, faces a €9,700 claim. Investigators determined that over €2,000 of his €9,900 fuel compensations were unjustified, including lockdown-period claims and petrol receipts for diesel vehicles. His legitimate fuel expenses were estimated at no more than €214.

The lawsuits, filed in Panevėžys and Utena district courts, follow a broader “Čekiukai” (Receipts) corruption probe into misuse of public funds by local officials.