The PNF opened a preliminary investigation concentrating on Edouard Philippe and an elected consultant from Le Havre | EUROtoday

Searches are underway, Wednesday April 3, on the city corridor of Le Havre (Seine-Maritime) in addition to on the headquarters of the Le Havre Seine Métropole city group, we discovered The world. According to our info, confirmed by a judicial supply, these searches are carried out as a part of a preliminary investigation opened, in December 2023, by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) on expenses of “illegal taking of interests, embezzlement of public funds , favoritism and moral harassment” targeting the mayor of Le Havre, Edouard Philippe, his deputy in charge of innovation and digital and community advisor of the metropolis, Stéphanie de Bazelaire, as well as the general director of urban community services, Claire- Sophie Tasias.

The investigations were entrusted to the territorial direction of the judicial police of Rouen, as confirmed by a judicial source. This investigation is likely to embarrass former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who says he is currently “preparing” for a candidacy in the 2027 presidential election.

As revealed The world, a complaint was filed on September 14 with the PNF for “illegal taking of interests, misappropriation of property, favoritism, extortion and moral harassment” by Judith (she requested anonymity, her first name has been changed). The latter is the former deputy general director of the urban community, whose fixed-term contract had not been renewed by the president of the community, Edouard Philippe, in April 2023, allegedly due to a lack of expertise and involvement. Judith had filed a complaint against Edouard Philippe, but also Stéphanie de Bazelaire and Claire-Sophie Tasias.

Contacted by The worldMr. Philippe, Mr.^me de Bazelaire, Le Havre town hall and the urban community have not yet followed up.

Suspicion of circumvention of public procurement rules

At the heart of the complaint: a suspicion of circumvention of public procurement rules in connection with a multi-year agreement of objectives co-signed, on July 30, 2020, by Edouard Philippe, as president of the urban community, and M^me de Bazelaire, as volunteer president of LH French Tech.

Under this doc, the city group has entrusted the LH French Tech affiliation – energetic since July 15, 2020 (i.e. the day of the election of Mr. Philippe as head of the metropolis), led by Mr.^me de Bazelaire and whose head workplace is situated on the elected official's dwelling – to run and function the Digital City of Le Havre, a brand new constructing devoted to digital professions, entrepreneurship and innovation.

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