Lithuanian prosecutors seek €47,000 in reimbursements from four municipal politicians

Lithuania’s General Prosecutor’s Office has filed civil claims against four municipal councillors from Lazdijai, Zarasai, Biržai, and Marijampolė districts, demanding the recovery of €46,700 in allegedly unjustified expense reimbursements, LRT reported Tuesday.

Marijampolė councillor faces €9,500 claim

Kaunas Regional Prosecutor’s Office has asked Marijampolė District Court to order former Marijampolė municipal councillor Metas Ražinskas to repay €9,500. Investigators found that between 2020–2023, Ražinskas received over €11,700 in reimbursements for costs linked to his council work, including car repairs, fuel, insurance, computer equipment, and internet services. During lockdowns—when in-person meetings were banned and work was remote—he claimed €6,000 in fuel expenses alone.

Lazdijai politician reimbursed for 9,000 litres of fuel

A separate claim targets Lazdijai district councillor Albinas Žymančius for €11,400. Prosecutors allege that during 2019–2023, Žymančius submitted over 300 payment receipts for more than 9,000 litres of fuel, compensated via 26 different payment cards and cash. Some purchases occurred multiple times in a single day, often outside the municipality. During lockdown, his fuel claims totalled €2,100.

Zarasai councillors challenged over fuel and telecom expenses

In Zarasai district, prosecutors are seeking €10,100 from councillor Ingrida Tatarūnė, who received €11,500 in reimbursements—mostly for fuel—between 2019–2023. Investigators argue her fuel costs were excessive and unjustified, with purchases made during lockdowns, in other districts, and via multiple payment methods. Tatarūnė has already repaid €800.

A parallel claim demands €10,700 from fellow Zarasai councillor Kęstutis Stankevičius, who was reimbursed €11,300 over the same period. Prosecutors flagged unusually large fuel purchases (e.g., 114 litres at once), lockdown-period claims, and undetailed telecom bills for multiple subscriber numbers.

The cases form part of Lithuania’s ongoing “Čekiukai” (receipts) corruption probe into municipal expense abuses.