Illness delays start of Alytus mayor’s expense-receipt case

A hearing in the expense-receipt case against Alytus District Mayor Rasa Vitkauskiene could not begin on Tuesday because co-defendant Vitas Sakalauskas, her father, was absent due to illness, LRT reported.

Sakalauskas was receiving medical treatment, the prosecutor said. The next hearing is scheduled for October 6, and lawyers are expected to say by then whether he can attend.

Vitkauskiene is accused of abuse of office, fraud, forging and using documents, and helping to fraudulently manage and organise financial accounting. Sakalauskas and Jolita Geronaitiene, identified as an accountant, are also charged with fraudulent accounting offences.

According to investigators, between 2019 and 2023 Vitkauskiene allegedly submitted false expense reports claiming fuel costs related to her work as a municipal council member. Authorities say she obtained 18,390 euros belonging to the municipality’s administration by submitting the reports.

Investigators also allege that she used fuel receipts paid for with cards issued to other people or with company fuel cards, and helped two company employees backdate 17 cash receipts. Sakalauskas manages the company Senas miškas, which allegedly submitted documents to the municipality seeking fuel reimbursement. The prosecutor has filed a claim for damages; the municipality has not.