Telšiai politicians face allegations in fuel expense case

Two former Telšiai District Municipality council members face allegations of abuse of office, property appropriation and document forgery in the so-called “check scandal”, LRT reported, citing Lithuania’s Special Investigation Service (STT). A court has exempted a current council member from criminal liability in a related case.

Former council member Petras Kuizinas allegedly submitted expense reports for 2019 to 2023 containing false information about fuel costs, causing the Telšiai District Municipality administration financial damage of €3,500, STT said.

Former council member Stanislovas Čekanauskas allegedly submitted similar false information about fuel expenses during the same period, causing €4,100 in damage to the municipality.

The Šiauliai District Court approved the Šiauliai Regional Prosecutor’s Office decision to end the pre-trial investigation into current council member Linas Šedvilas and exempt him from criminal liability under surety for abuse of office, property appropriation and document forgery.

According to the investigation, Šedvilas submitted expense reports containing false information about fuel-related transport costs while serving on the council from 2019 to 2023. He caused the municipality €972 in damage.

Šedvilas fully admitted his guilt, expressed sincere remorse and repaid the damage. The court set a one-year surety period and ordered him to pay €1,000 to the Fund for Victims of Crime. However, it rejected the prosecutor’s request to bar him for three years from being elected to positions in state or municipal institutions and their organisations and companies.