The former Rhône senator had fictitiously employed his wife and one of his daughters between 2005 and 2014, their side respectively 50,000 and 37,000 euros in salary.
MO12345lemonde with AFP
The former Keeper of the Seals Michel Mercier was sentenced on Thursday, January 26, to three years in prison suspended by the Paris Criminal Court for having granted fictitious parliamentary jobs to his wife and one of his daughters between 2005 and 2014.
The former Senator of the Rhône (Democrat Mouvement), 75, was accused of three embezzlement of public funds in the Senate, for having employed his wife, Joëlle, as parliamentary assistant from 2005 to 2009 and have paid 50 000 euros in salary, then her daughter Delphine from 2012 to 2014 which received more than 37,000 euros in income.
judging that the facts were “of a certain gravity” and that Mr. Mercier had “prevailing his personal interest in the common interest”, justice also condemned him to five years of ineligibility, three years prohibition from any public service and to pay a fine of 50,000 euros. 2> his daughter and his wife also condemned
The former centrist senator was also found guilty of embezzlement of public funds negligently for having continued to pay a parliamentary assistant who no longer worked for him. He was also tried for illegal taking of interests, but the facts alleged against him were declared prescribed by the court.
The national financial prosecutor’s office had requested in November a four -year prison sentence, three of which were suspended against Mr. Mercier. The Paris Criminal Court was finally less severe towards the former senator.
Recognized guilty of complicity and concealment, his wife, Joëlle, and her daughter Delphine were sentenced, respectively, to eighteen months in prison sentence and 40,000 euros fine for the first, and twelve months suspended and 10,000 euros fine for the second.