Marijampolė council member’s expense fraud case sent to court

The Prosecutor General’s Office has referred the criminal case of Marijampolė Municipal Council member Sigitas Valančius, known as the “čekiukų” (expense receipts) scandal, to the Marijampolė District Court, the General Prosecutor’s Office announced on Tuesday.

Valančius is accused of abuse of office, fraud, falsification of documents, and the use of falsified documents. Investigators allege that between 2019 and 2021, while serving as a council member, he submitted false expense reports, inflating costs for fuel, phone, and internet services supposedly incurred for his political activities.

According to the case, Valančius may have fraudulently obtained 4,870 euros in public funds from the Marijampolė Municipality Administration for personal gain. The charges also state that his actions undermined the authority of the council member, eroded public trust in him, and damaged confidence in the Marijampolė Municipality.

The Special Investigation Service is currently conducting pre-trial investigations into the alleged misuse of public funds by municipal politicians in 30 municipalities, with 15 current and former council members facing charges.

Reporting by LRT.