Pierre Gauttieri, the chief of staff of the mayor of Saint Etienne, granted an interview to our colleagues from TL7 on Wednesday September 15. This is his first public appearance since the first revelations of Mediapart on the alleged blackmail to the intimate video that Gilles Artigues would have suffered, former first deputy mayor of Saint-Étienne, from Gaël Perdri, mayor of Saint-Étienne, Samy Kéfi Jérôme, his deputy for education, and Pierre Gauttieri, his chief of staff.
“Shocked with Shame”
Pierre Gauttieri reacts to the revelations made this Monday by Mediapart. We hear Gaël Perdriau and Pierre Gauttieri threatening Gilles Artigues in recordings made by the latter. We can hear Pierre Gauttieri affirm that it works “exactly as a criminal might operate.” Violent remarks, in which the chief of staff claims not to recognize himself: “I took the time to listen to the words that were mine, and reported by Mediapart. I can tell you one thing: I was overwhelmed with shame. These are remarks that are inadmissible, unacceptable, I would almost dare to say inexcusable for a chief of staff of a large community. A man who has experience of public affairs should not let himself go to this kind of deviation.
Pierre Gauttieri assumes having made these remarks, evoking a moment of anger and bewilderment. He apologizes to the family of Gilles Artigues, to his own family, as well as to the elected officials and staff of the city and the metropolis. Apologies that he extends to the Saint-Etienne population, which he hopes will know “Be indulgent towards him.” Finally on the intimate video shot to trap Gilles Artigues, Pierre Gauttieri refutes any involvement :”Neither the mayor nor I are the sponsors of this video.” And he says it he has no intention of resigning. He invokes the presumption of innocence, reinforced according to him by the outcome of his police custody on Tuesday: Pierre Gauttieri emerged free, without indictment.