Lithuanian ethics commission investigates VRK member Laura Matjošaitytė

Lithuania’s Chief Official Ethics Commission (VTEK) has launched an investigation into Laura Matjošaitytė, a member of the Central Electoral Commission (VRK), regarding potential violations of the Law on the Reconciliation of Public and Private Interests. The probe aims to determine if Matjošaitytė failed to avoid or declare a conflict of interest related to her alleged consultations for the political party ‘Nemuno aušra’.

Allegations surfaced following reports that Matjošaitytė provided consultancy services to the party concerning member fees and assisted in preparing the party’s responses to the VRK. Metadata analysis reportedly indicated that she prepared a response for the party’s vice-chairman, Robertas Puchovičius. While Matjošaitytė maintains that no conflict of interest occurred during her official duties, she has previously stated she did not receive payment for these services.

In addition to the VTEK investigation, which is expected to take approximately three months, the Central Electoral Commission and the Lithuanian Bar Association have also initiated inquiries into her conduct. The controversy follows Matjošaitytė’s return to the VRK last May, a move supported by former Justice Minister Rimantas Mockus.