Kaišiadorys administration director suspended amid corruption allegations

The director of the Kaišiadorys district municipality administration, Karolis Petkevičius, has been suspended from his duties following allegations of abuse of office in the so-called “čekiukų” (invoices) case, LRT reports.

Kaišiadorys district mayor Šarūnas Čėsna announced the decision on Monday, stating it was necessary to protect the implementation of projects funded by the European Union. The Central Project Management Agency had halted financing procedures for some projects and warned that the municipality no longer met certain funding requirements due to an ongoing pre-trial investigation into Petkevičius.

“In simple terms, if the administration director continued in his role, there would be a real risk of losing EU funding or halting important projects that are vital for our district’s residents,” Čėsna wrote on Facebook.

Petkevičius agreed to step down temporarily until the pre-trial investigation and other legal proceedings are completed or until legal regulations change. The mayor emphasised that the suspension is a preventive measure to safeguard the municipality’s interests and ensure project continuity, not an admission of guilt or a direct link to the misuse of EU funds.

“As mayor, I had to make a decision that protects the public interest. My duty is to ensure that the Kaišiadorys district does not lose millions in investments for roads, education, public spaces, and other projects important to our residents,” Čėsna said.

Jurgita Putnikienė, head of the General Department, will temporarily assume the director’s responsibilities.

Petkevičius is suspected of abusing his official position between 2019 and 2023 while serving as a member of the Kaišiadorys district municipal council. Allegations include systematically falsifying documents and submitting false data about purported transport expenses, causing an estimated 2,100 euros in damages to the municipality’s administration.