“My serenity is total”, assures Éric Ciotti, targeted by an investigation for embezzlement of public funds

If he expressed his “serenity” this Monday regarding this legal case, Éric Ciotti denounces “obvious political manipulation”.

“My serenity is total”, assured Éric Ciotti in a press release sent Monday June 17 to franceinfo. The president of the Republicans (LR) is the target of an investigation for embezzlement of public funds during his campaign for the last legislative elections, in 2022. “I have no substantive comment to make” and “do not feel concerned by this matter”reacted Eric Ciotti.

This investigation was opened on May 31 by the Nice public prosecutor’s office, after a report from a representative of the anti-corruption association Anticor. He was himself a candidate in these elections in another constituency in the Alpes-Maritimes in 2022. This report concerns the misuse of parking cards at the port of Nice made available free of charge by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to close to the LR deputy, in conjunction with the departmental council. According to the association, at least eight cards were used.

“The Department of Alpes-Maritimes recalled the framework of its multiple interventions on the port being a state owner, housing a museum and SDIS premises” (Departmental fire and rescue service), justified Éric Ciotti.

If he shares his “serenity”Eric Ciotti points “disturbing elements allow us to guess at obvious political manipulation”. He accuses “very close to my opponent Christian Estrosi”the mayor of Nice, to have “deposited opportunely” this report.

“The quality of the testimony seems more than doubtful.”

Eric Ciotti

at franceinfo

This Anticor referent who “had to be revoked” from the Association, “has intimate links with the mayor of Nice, his brother works directly under the authority of Christian Estrosi” And “was also a Macronist candidate in Cannes against my friend David Lisnard, also opposed to the Nice municipality”continues the president of the Republicans.

Finally, Éric Ciotti believes that “the timing of this announcement may finally come as a surprise in the middle of the electoral campaign”. The president of the LR who made an alliance with the National Rally (RN) expected “alas, low blows after the long-awaited announcement of the union of the rights” but “reassures” : “Nothing will make me give in and back down, no one will be able to intimidate me or muzzle me. I have thick skin and trust the justice system”.

The Nice public prosecutor’s office opened this investigation for public embezzlement before the announcement between Éric Ciotti and the party of Jordan Bardelle and Marine Le Pen. It was opened on May 31, ten days before the European elections.