The Criminal Court of Nice has made its decision: sentenced to four months in suspended prison and a fine of 10,000 euros, the Mayor of Villefranche-sur-Mer narrowly escapes the loss of his civic rights, a penalty that was sought three weeks ago by the Deputy Prosecutor of the Republic. While the Court acknowledged the existence of illegal advantage-taking, it apparently did not wish to draw electoral and political consequences, ultimately determining that it was up to the elected officials of the Commune and the people of Villefranchois to “confirm or not their trust” in the city’s chief magistrate.
The matter does not seem to be over yet. In this case, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which had requested eight months of suspended prison and five years of ineligibility, showed a form of perplexity following the deliberations: legal experts close to the case believe it is possible that the Public Prosecutor may appeal the decision. Is it in this perspective that he seeks to gather more elements? It has been requested that the Regional Chamber of the Court of Auditors conduct an investigation into the municipal management by the leaders of the Commune for the past 10 years! Clearly, if this information is confirmed—a notification would have been sent to the City Hall to announce the decision—it is indeed the two terms of Gérard Grosgogeat that seem directly targeted by this procedure. This could lead to a closer look at the awarding of certain public contracts, development works, and the financing of electoral campaigns. A step that could fuel rumors and increase suspicions about the current Mayor’s ability to continue managing his commune’s affairs calmly.
With, in a local environment marked by other files and ongoing investigations, probable consequences on the session of the municipal council scheduled for March 2. And ultimately a simple question that the inhabitants of Villefranche-sur-Mer, who were already looking forward to major works to renovate a tourist city struggling in recent years, are asking: will the current team last until the next elections?
