The politician shared the documents proving that he paid for the legal services himself with the news agency. According to BNS, the copies show that M. Sinkevičius paid the “Ellex Valiunas” law firm for the services of its partner Arūnas Petrauskas in four orders.
It is announced that the first transfer of 2,420 euros was made on September 14, 2023, after which Mr. Sinkevičius transferred 3,630 euros on February 26, 2024.
On June 11 of the same year, the politician again transferred 2420 euros, and on November 18 – 1210 euros.
When member of the public Andriis Tapinas raised questions about what funds M. Sinkevičius used to pay the legal expenses in the so-called “cheques” case, the politician’s father, member of the Seimas, Rimantas Sinkevičius, previously testified that he helped his son financially pay the bills of the law firm.
After A. Tapinus approached the Special Investigation Service (STT) about the situation, M. Sinkevičius said in an interview with the Delfi portal that he covered the costs of the case from his own funds, but mentioned that “he has parents who work and can help his son”. When asked if his parents helped financially, the mayor of Jonava hesitated – he explained that he did not remember exactly.
R. Sinkevičius stated that together with his wife, he helped M. Sinkevičius to pay the legal expenses and later the 12.5 thousand awarded by the court. euro fine.
“We contributed. We contributed as much as we needed, as much as we had,” R. Sinkevičius told reporters in the Seimas on Tuesday, emphasizing that money transfers are visible in bank orders.
“(So- Morning), how much was needed for it to pay off. How much did he pay? I contributed by paying him the court fine, the family contributed. And it’s not a gift, it’s paying the bills,” he taught.
Member of the public A. Tapinas still had doubts on Wednesday whether M. Sinkevičius paid the legal costs of the case from his own funds.
“Since the process was long, all instances passed, and M. Sinkevičius was represented by Arūnas Petrauskas, a partner of one of the most expensive law firms “Ellex Valiūnas”, the legal costs of the case, even conservatively assessed, could have been at least 40-50 thousand euros, and M. Sinkevičius only indicated 16,800 euros in monetary funds in the 2023 declaration, could he justify such personal funds as well? origin”, wrote A. Tapinas.
He also reminded that at a similar time, when “Ellex Valiūnas” represented M. Sinkevičius, the law firm was also chosen for the case by “Jonavas vandenys” – a company with which M. Sinkevičius, according to A. Tapinas, have old and close ties.
