The Lithuanian Special Investigations Service (SST) and the prosecutor’s office have initiated a pre-trial investigation concerning allegations of potential misuse of funds involving several local governing officials. As part of this inquiry, indictments have been filed against four individuals: Vilija Bartašienė, a member of the Marijampolė municipality council; Algirdas Brazauskas, a member of the Prienų municipality council; Rima Zablackienė, a member of the Telšių municipality council; and Linas Šedvilas, also a member of the Telšių municipality council. The investigation focuses on the proper management and accountability of financial resources within local government structures.
Specific allegations have been raised regarding the financial conduct of Vilija Bartašienė. During her tenure as a member of the Joniškio municipality council from 2019 to 2023, Bartašienė is alleged to have misused her official position. According to preliminary data gathered during the pre-trial investigation, the misuse centers on the submission of advance expense accounts.
These accounts, which she claimed were for her service as a council member, reportedly included data pertaining to fuel costs that investigators suggest may not accurately reflect actual expenditures. The ongoing pre-trial investigation aims to establish the extent and nature of the alleged financial discrepancies across multiple local government bodies. The authorities continue to examine the documentation to determine if any council member violated financial regulations or abused their trust within their respective municipality administrations.
The process remains under the direct supervision of the prosecutor’s office.
Topics: #council #municipality #member
