Lithuanian prosecutors seek €38,000 from municipal councillors over fuel compensation claims

Lithuanian prosecutors have filed civil lawsuits demanding nearly €38,000 in restitution from four municipal councillors accused of improperly claiming fuel and transport reimbursements, state news agency ELTA reported Monday.

The Kaunas and Panevėžys regional prosecutor’s offices are pursuing claims against councillors from Lazdijai, Rokiškis, Marijampolė and Panevėžys municipalities, alleging they received unjustified compensation from local budgets between 2019 and 2023.

In Marijampolė, prosecutors are seeking €11,900 from councillor Edmundas Razvickas, who allegedly submitted receipts for both petrol and diesel purchases despite driving a diesel-only vehicle. Investigators found he used 11 different payment cards for fuel, with over €10,000 reimbursed for fuel alone.

Former Lazdijai district councillor Daiva Barkauskienė faces a €12,400 claim after submitting 314 receipts for more than 13,600 litres of fuel, including purchases made outside the municipality and during lockdown periods. She reportedly used 17 different payment methods, including cash.

Prosecutors are also demanding €13,285 from Rokiškis councillor Stanislovas Dambrauskas, who allegedly received unjustified reimbursements totaling nearly €1,900 for fuel bought during quarantine. A separate claim targets Panevėžys councillor Arūnas Balčiūnas for €640 in improper payments, including fuel bought in other municipalities.

The cases form part of a broader crackdown following a public investigation into misuse of municipal funds. Prosecutors have filed 191 civil claims nationwide totalling €2.98 million, with councillors voluntarily returning over €1.92 million to date. Investigations into 35 municipalities remain ongoing.