Radio Host Sébastien Cauet Under Investigation for Multiple Allegations
Radio host Sébastien Cauet has been placed under judicial investigation following multiple allegations of sexual assault and rape, including accusations involving minors. The Paris prosecutor's office has confirmed that they are seeking to indict Cauet for three rapes, two of which involve minors over the age of 15. This high-profile case has cast a significant shadow over the career of the 52-year-old presenter, who has been removed from his position at NRJ Radio.
Allegations Involving Minors
The indictment request includes charges related to the rape of a woman born in September 1998, which allegedly took place in November 2014 in Geneva. Cauet is also being pursued for the corruption of minors over 15, allegedly committed between January 2014 and September 2016. Additionally, he faces charges for a December 1997 incident involving another woman, who was a teenager at the time, in Paris. Further accusations include a sexual assault on a woman born in September 1995, which allegedly occurred in December 2012, when she was still a minor.
Cauet is alleged to have committed another rape in 2011 in Paris involving an adult woman born in October 1973. The combination of these allegations has led to a comprehensive judicial investigation, with the prosecution underscoring the serious nature of the charges by referencing the minority status of some of the victims involved.
Legal Proceedings and Dismissal from NRJ
Since the initial complaints emerged, Cauet has consistently denied all allegations, invoking the presumption of innocence. His lawyers, Xavier Autain and Simon Clémenceau, issued a statement emphasizing that Cauet voluntarily engaged with the investigation services to address each question in detail. The defense team has also highlighted an ongoing investigation with the Nanterre Public Prosecutor's Office concerning claims made by Cauet, including cyberharassment and attempted extortion.
In November 2023, following the early stages of the investigation, Cauet was removed from his role at NRJ Radio. Although both Cauet and the radio network described the decision as mutual and amicable, the presenter is legally challenging this move, seeking reinstatement through the Paris commercial court, which upheld NRJ's decision in early May.
- The ongoing investigation continues to develop as more details emerge. Cauet's legal team remains steadfast in their defense strategy, focusing on dismantling the accusations and presenting evidence to support Cauet's claims of innocence. The case is being closely followed in media circles due to its high-profile nature and the serious implications it holds for those involved.
- With the rise of the #MeToo movement and increased awareness surrounding sexual misconduct, this case is part of a broader societal examination of sexual abuse within industries traditionally seen as closed or untouchable. The outcome of the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings will be critical in setting precedents for future cases.
