A couple sentenced for tampering with Linky meters

THE SUBSTITUTE ATTORNEY QUENTIN LARROQUE Midi Free – ALEXIS BETHUNE

70,000 € which had been seized by the investigators will be partially returned to him.

The 37-year-old man, an employee of Veolia, supplemented his income by tinkering with Linky meters. The installed diversion made it possible to divide consumption by ten. For this “service”, the defendant received between 250 € and 500 €.

He, hands in his pockets during this Friday's hearing at the Alès Criminal Court, appears relaxed. His wife, more stressed, moves from one leg to the other. His hands tighten on the bar.

He is implicated for acts of fraud, she for having taken advantage of financial resources to have improved her lifestyle, little in relation to the money earned by the couple.

A complaint from Enedis leads to a large-scale investigation

The affair began with a complaint filed by Enedis, the power distributor, when numerous meters in the Alès sector triggered an alarm. "As soon as the meter opens, Enedis receives an alert message, explains the industrialist’s lawyer. And for a period, we noticed many alerts."

In fact, many people were interviewed in the context of this matter and ordered to regularize the situation with the distributor. "I was contacted through word of mouth. There were notables, but not only", explains the defendant, on the stand.

70000 € deposited on different accounts and an Audi Q7 seized during the investigation

During the investigation, 70,000 € are seized from his account as well as an Audi Q7 purchased for €30,000. "This is personal savings, help from our family and various associations for our disabled child", tries to justify the couple. The man talks about “advice” but recognizes the installation of 20 to 30 branches "to provide service". He admits to working illegally, and selling a little scrap metal.

A different analysis of the figures between defense and the forgotten ministry

In his requisitions Quentin Larroque, for the prosecution, details the couple's income and wonders: "With 1,800 € salary per month, 3,000 € allowances and more than 2,000 € charges, how to save 3,000 € to arrive at 70,000 € ? Some months, no food expenses appear on the account statements. So you live on cash."

The magistrate demands, for the husband, 2 years in prison, including one suspended probation, 15,000 € fine, and one year suspended prison sentence plus 5,000 € fine for his partner. Finally, the confiscation of the seized sums and vehicle is requested.

The defense lawyer has another reading of the financial elements and manages to maintain that the family has always helped the couple and their two children a lot. "This represents aid of around 500 € per month, paid either in cash or by check. Which represents nearly 70,000 € per year, i.e. the amounts found in their accounts."

Against the defendant, the court handed down a prison sentence of one year in the form of an electronic bracelet and 5,000 € fine. His wife received a three-month suspended prison sentence and 2,000 € fine. 12,000 € are confiscated. The rest of the money and the Q7 must be returned.

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