Sony Clinquart says to himself “shocked“by the conviction pronounced by the Dunkirk court for embezzlement on Monday, “yes I was clumsy but not dishonest“. He receives a six-month suspended prison sentence, a fine of €5,000 and three years of ineligibility; even more problematic for this part-time social worker: the conviction will be entered in his criminal record, he will no longer be able to exercise his job.
“What predominates is public health” – Sony Clinquart mayor of Grand Fort Philippe
The mayor of Grand Fort Philippe, 5,000 inhabitants near Dunkirk, wanted – in his own way – “fight against medical desertification“. In the 2010s, the municipality went from 12 to 3 doctors; to keep the 3 general practitioners, Sony Clinquart imagined a daring arrangement….but illegal. When the medical center was created in 2017, the municipality hired 2 medical secretaries first as contractual employees and then as territorial civil servants, and they were made available to the 3 doctors.
Despite reports from the sub-prefect and taxes, the absence of a call for tenders, Sony Clinquart came through in force. “All municipalities in France and Navarre are affected by medical desertification and we at Grand Fort Philippe took the problem head on, what predominates is the public health of the inhabitants“
“I do not regret”
Sony Clinquart has no regrets,”yes I assume, it was necessary to continue to offer a service to the inhabitants and to the doctors and today the medical center is running“. He did not receive a single penny in the operation, the Dunkirk court also recognized that there had been no personal enrichment or personal interest, but the prosecutor pointed to finger during the hearing on September 21, the use of public money for a private activity.
The mayor of Grand Fort Philippe did reverse course in 2018, the 2 medical secretaries became public service employees and were reinstated at the town hall, but too late for justice.
Sony Clinquart appeals
Sony Clinquart, who could lose everything and in particular his seat as mayor, announces on France Bleu Nord that he is appealing the conviction he “do not accept“. He should therefore remain in post. The 3 doctors of the medical center were fined €5,000 and the Anticor association obtained a symbolic euro in damages. The municipal opposition, which had filed a civil action, is her, dismissed.