Paluckas family business fails to return promised EU funding

A company controlled by the family of former Lithuanian prime minister Gintautas Paluckas has not fulfilled its public pledge to return European Union funds allocated for an unfinished electric ferry charging station project, an investigation by Siena.lt and LRT reveals.

The company, Dankora, had promised in July 2025 to return the EU funding after reports emerged that the majority of the €170,000 grant—intended for an electric vehicle and ferry charging infrastructure in Drukiai village—was redirected to another Paluckas family business, Garnis. Gintautas Paluckas held a 49% stake in Garnis at the time.

Following public scrutiny, Dankora announced it would terminate its funding agreement with Lithuania’s National Paying Agency (NMA) and return the money, citing “family peace” as a priority. However, NMA confirmed to Siena that the funds—over €136,000 already disbursed—were never repaid. The agency has since frozen Dankora’s assets and, along with those of Gintautas Paluckas’ brother Danas Paluckas, as part of a pre-trial investigation.

NMA stated it has secured legal measures to recover the funds, though further action is suspended pending the ongoing Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) probe. Journalists visiting the project site in late July 2025 found no evidence of the promised charging station.

The controversy contributed to Paluckas’ resignation as prime minister last year.