Deputy agriculture minister faces civil claim over more than 15,000 euros

LRT reported Thursday that prosecutors are seeking more than 15,000 euros from Deputy Agriculture Minister Kęstas Spūdys for Marijampolė municipality, alleging he improperly received the money as compensation for expenses related to his work as a municipal councillor.

Prosecutors filed the civil claim in court this spring. Spūdys told Delfi he disagreed with their assessment, said he had incurred the expenses while doing his work and intended to defend himself in court.

Spūdys said he had not concealed information about the case from officials or Agriculture Minister Kęstutis Mažeika before taking up the deputy minister post this summer. Mažeika said the presumption of innocence applies until a court ruling becomes final.

BNS has reported that prosecutors pursue so-called “receipt” cases through both public-interest proceedings and criminal investigations. Critics say this can result in local politicians in different municipalities facing different penalties for similar violations.