This search took place as part of a judicial investigation “regarding in particular acts of active and passive corruption and influence peddling”, a judicial source confirmed to franceinfo.
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A search took place on Monday at the Ministry of the Economy in Paris as part of Neymar’s transfer to PSG in 2017, franceinfo learned on Thursday January 18 from a source close to the matter, confirming information from Mediapart. Franceinfo has had confirmation from a judicial source that this search was carried out “as part of the judicial investigation in connection with the PSG, relating in particular to acts of active corruption and influence peddling (with regard to a person holding public authority) and passive (by person holding of public authority)”.
This judicial source specifies that these offenses incur “10 years of imprisonment and a fine of 1 million euros or double the proceeds of the offense”. The investigation is also open for acts of “misuse of the purpose of processing personal data”, “usurpation of the identity of a third party with a view to disturbing their peace or damaging their honor or reputation”, “online moral harassment” And “violation of professional secrecy”. LThe IGPN participated in the search, it is this service which started this extensive investigation into PSG.
Suspicions of tax favors
This search was carried out as part of the investigation into suspicions of tax favors granted to PSG on the occasion of the transfer of Brazilian striker Neymar, confirming information from Release and of Mediapart. According to the first elements of the investigation to which franceinfo had access, justice is wondering whether the former EnMarche vice-president of the National Assembly, Hugues Renson, tried to obtain from the government “fiscal advantages” for PSG during the transfer for 222 million euros – the most expensive in history – of the Brazilian superstar to the capital club. Asked by franceinfo, the Ministry of the Economy did not wish to react.
The Brazilian star was transferred for 222 million euros from FC Barcelona to PSG in 2017. On January 4, Mediapart revealed than to “in the summer of 2017, the Minister of Public Accounts Gérald Darmanin and his chief of staff helped PSG not to pay tens of millions of euros in transfer taxes”. The rebellious MEP Manon Aubry then announced on January 10 that she had sent a referral to the Paris public prosecutor.
