Overview

• Prosecutors opened a preliminary inquiry into Martine Vassal for alleged diversion of public funds, influence peddling and corruption.
• The probe follows an Article 40 referral by former collaborator Erwan Davoux, who alleges costly official trips to Rome, New York and Armenia in 2022 and 2024 and clientelist subsidies.
• A separate preliminary inquiry targets Davoux for alleged blackmail and incitement to hatred after a complaint filed by Vassal.
• Vassal rejects the accusations as a political maneuver and says she refused to pay nearly €300,000 in indemnities to Davoux.
• The department’s lawyer counters that Davoux organized the trips he now denounces and notes his contract ended on January 31, 2025.