Three new individuals have been indicted in connection with the ongoing case involving the mayor of Agde, Gilles d'Ettore, and a clairvoyant. The new defendants include a real estate developer and two relatives of the medium who is central to this unusual affair, as announced by the prosecution on Tuesday.
The 63-year-old real estate developer has been charged with misuse of corporate assets and breach of trust to the detriment of his companies, as well as active corruption involving the mayor of Agde. According to the statement released by Raphaël Balland, the public prosecutor of Béziers, the businessman financed various personal expenses for the clairvoyant, totaling €17,000. These included an equipped kitchen, part of the buffet for her wedding, and plane tickets to Paris. He has been placed under judicial supervision.
The clairvoyant's 20-year-old daughter and a 'very close' 42-year-old friend have also been indicted for concealing illegal interests. They were employed by the town hall of Agde, under an apprenticeship contract and as responsible for the toll gate of the municipality's naturist village, respectively. Both are now under judicial supervision.
The central figure in this case is a 44-year-old woman who identifies as a medium and healer. She allegedly manipulated several individuals, including Mayor Gilles d'Ettore, by altering her voice to make them believe they were conversing with a supernatural entity. This ruse reportedly led d'Ettore to provide various benefits to her and her relatives, including employment within the municipality and urban area. Her husband secured a position as a technical director at the town hall. The clairvoyant is currently in pre-trial detention.
Gilles d'Ettore, who has been the mayor of Agde since 2001 and is a former deputy, has been in pre-trial detention since March 21. He faces charges of illegal taking of interests and corruption. D'Ettore has admitted that he may have committed some acts under the clairvoyant's influence, but he claims he was trapped and disputes allegations that hundreds of thousands of euros of public funds were misappropriated. His lawyer, Jean-Marc Darrigade, insists that d'Ettore has no plans to resign from his positions at this time.
Additionally, two regional executives from the construction company Eiffage have been indicted for breach of trust, forgery, and use of forged documents. They are suspected of secretly financing renovations at the clairvoyant's home. The investigation continues as authorities probe deeper into the extent of the misappropriations and the network of individuals involved.
- The scandal involving the mayor of Agde and the clairvoyant has gripped the local community, shedding light on a unique case of influence and deception. The eccentric nature of the case has captivated public attention, with many eager to see how justice will be served.
- The clairvoyant’s ability to manipulate those around her by assuming the voice of a 'supernatural being' has added an unusual layer to the typical corruption case. The public remains curious about the psychological aspects of the case and how so many were allegedly duped.
- Mayor Gilles d'Ettore's long tenure in office and his apparent susceptibility to manipulation have raised questions about the oversight and checks within the municipality. This case highlights the need for stringent anti-corruption measures within local governments to prevent similar incidents in the future.
