Legal fees in “čekiukų” case cost Sinkevičius €9,680, payment records show

Social Democratic leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius paid €9,680 in legal fees to the law firm Ellex Valiūnas for representation in the so-called “čekiukų” (checks) case, according to payment records obtained by the BNS news agency.

Sinkevičius provided the documents to BNS on Tuesday, following a promise to disclose proof that he personally covered the costs. The records show four transfers to the firm for services provided by partner Arūnas Petrauskas: €2,420 on 14 September 2023, €3,630 on 26 February 2024, €2,420 on 11 June 2024, and €1,210 on 18 November 2024.

The politician stated the payments covered different stages of his legal defence, including the pre-trial investigation, representation in the Kaunas Regional Court, the Lithuanian Court of Appeal, and the preparation of a cassation complaint to the Supreme Court of Lithuania. All expenses were paid from his personal funds, he said.

Sinkevičius previously denied receiving any discounts from Ellex Valiūnas. He acknowledged financial support from family members, who transferred money to him via online banking to help cover legal costs. His father, parliamentarian Rimantas Sinkevičius, confirmed contributing to his son’s legal expenses.

In addition to legal fees, Sinkevičius paid a €12,500 fine following an unfavourable 2024 ruling by the appellate court. He was temporarily suspended from his duties as mayor of Jonava but later reinstated after the Supreme Court terminated the case against him in early 2025, also refunding his fine.

LRT previously reported that Sinkevičius hired the Ellex Valiūnas lawyer around the same time a municipality-controlled company, Jonavos vandenys, signed a legal services contract with the same firm. Sinkevičius denied influencing the company’s decision, stating that neither he nor his sister, a partner at Ellex Valiūnas, had any role in the process.

On Tuesday, Sinkevičius announced his intention to take over the government from Inga Ruginienė, potentially becoming the third prime minister of the current ruling majority.