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Police Search Marseille Department and Métropole Led by Martine Vassal as Prosecutors Pursue Dual Probes

Les Républicains granted Vassal their backing for the 2026 mayoral race despite the active inquiries.

Des perquisitions ont été menées sous l'égide du parquet de Marseille, ce lundi 22 septembre au matin, dans les locaux du Conseil départemental à Saint-Just (13e).
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Des perquisitions ont été menées ce lundi 22 septembre au Conseil départemental, au siège de la Métropole, ainsi qu'aux domiciles de Martine Vassal, Marc Jolibois et Erwan Davoux.

Overview

  • The Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council and the Aix‑Marseille‑Provence Métropole confirmed coordinated searches at their headquarters carried out by investigators.
  • The Marseille prosecutor later confirmed searches at the private homes of Martine Vassal, her chief of staff Marc Jolibois, and whistleblower Erwan Davoux.
  • Two preliminary investigations are underway, one into alleged diversion of public funds, influence peddling and corruption, and another into alleged blackmail and incitement to hatred.
  • Former departmental official Erwan Davoux triggered the probes with an Article 40 report citing costly overseas trips and clientelist subsidies; Vassal rejects the claims as imaginary offenses and says she refused to pay him nearly €300,000, while the institutions labeled him a blackmailer.
  • No charges have been disclosed at this fact‑finding stage, and the searches have immediate political ramifications for Vassal’s 2026 campaign that now carries formal LR support.