Overview
- Messiha returned the full €42,000 to the two widows, their lawyers said Thursday, after public complaints and media attention that accused him of encashing the fundraiser.
- The widows, Sandrine Le Hay Moello and Mary Garcia, filed criminal complaints for abus de confiance that remain active and are now in the hands of judicial authorities.
- Messiha says the transfers resulted from an internal GoFundMe error and his lawyer denies any intentional or material element of wrongdoing while criticizing media coverage.
- Plaintiffs' lawyers say the money was only returned after the public filing of complaints and that restitution does not cancel the criminal inquiry or legal responsibility.
- The case ties to a high‑emotion 2024 fundraiser for two prison officers killed during Mohamed Amra's escape and raises questions about platform payment errors, political reputations, and how courts will handle the abuse-of-trust allegations.