The Nice prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into embezzlement of public funds targeting Christian Estrosi following a report by Éric Ciotti concerning representation expenses without supporting documents. Julien Picot is calling for an audit of spending, while the former mayor’s lawyer denounces « a context of harassment and repeated accusations. »
An investigation into embezzlement of public funds has been opened against Christian Estrosi. The Nice prosecutor’s office opened the proceeding following a report submitted by Éric Ciotti under article 40 of the code of criminal procedure. The report, made in late July, concerns the lack of supporting documents for a portion of the representation expenses of the former mayor of Nice. The investigation was opened in late August, according to the prosecutor of the Republic of Nice, Damien Martinelli.
The case concerns representation expenses incurred between 2016 and 2025, during Christian Estrosi’s three terms as mayor of Nice. The Transparence citoyenne association had already filed a complaint after identifying more than 312,000 euros in representation expenses reimbursed without supporting documents over this period.
Arriving at the Nice town hall in March 2026, Éric Ciotti had asked his predecessor to provide the relevant supporting documents before submitting a report to the prosecutor’s office.
Julien Picot calls for an audit of spending
President of the finance commission of the city of Nice and the Metropolis and opposition municipal councillor, Julien Picot has reacted to the opening of the investigation. The amount of expenses involved constitutes, according to his statement, a matter that must be examined within the scope of elected officials’ responsibilities. « The opening by the Nice prosecutor’s office of an investigation into embezzlement of public funds concerning more than 312,000 euros in representation expenses for Christian Estrosi is a serious enough matter that full light must be shed on it. »
Julien Picot announces his intention to examine the expenses in question, their origin and the conditions under which reimbursements were made. An approach presented as separate from the judicial procedure. « We will therefore investigate, within the scope of our responsibilities, seriously and without prejudging the conclusions of the justice system. »
The president of the finance commission also believes that the amount of expenses in question raises a question of transparency in the management of public funds. « 312,000 euros of public money without supporting documents found, that is not a minor accounting issue. It is a matter of transparency, democratic oversight and respect for Nice taxpayers. »
The Nice elected official also insists on the need not to confuse the audit of public spending with the political conflict between Éric Ciotti and Christian Estrosi. « I will not participate in the game of settling political scores between Éric Ciotti and Christian Estrosi. Public funds belong to the residents of Nice, not to the political leaders who succeed one another at the head of the local authority. »
The opposition official’s reaction continues on the role of elected officials in monitoring local finances. « Justice must do its job. Elected officials must do theirs », states Julien Picot.
For his part, Christian Estrosi’s lawyer contests the context in which this new procedure is being conducted. Me Matthieu Avril denounces « a context of harassment and repeated accusations » on the part of Éric Ciotti.
The lawyer nevertheless refuses to comment on the ongoing procedure, explaining that Christian Estrosi had not been informed of it. The defense also asserts that the former mayor of Nice has always been careful « to ensure proper use of public funds. »
Christian Estrosi’s lawyer defends the expenses in question
Me Matthieu Avril further recalls that « The allocation of representation expenses for local elected officials is governed by the provisions of the General Code of Local Government. »
The defense also asserts that Christian Estrosi had « regularly transferred to the metropolitan authority the unused portion of the allowance allocated to him », even though nothing obligated him to do so.
When questioned last year about his representation expenses, Christian Estrosi had explained that they were exclusively meals with investors as well as with personalities from the world of business or culture. These meetings had, according to this explanation, the objective of advancing the matters of the city of Nice and the Metropolis.
The opening of the investigation does not mean that an infraction has been established. Christian Estrosi is not under investigation in this proceeding.
The former mayor of Nice is also the subject of several other judicial proceedings. The management of reconstruction following Storm Alex in 2020 is notably being examined by the courts. Christian Estrosi also has the status of assisted witness in the investigation into the security of the Promenade des Anglais during the attack of July 14, 2016.
Another investigation concerns the organization of several events in Nice and the management of Formula 1 Grand Prix events at Le Castellet between 2018 and 2022. Christian Estrosi had been taken into police custody in early summer 2025 in this case, which concerns notably suspicions of favoritism and embezzlement of funds.
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