Gérard Abella, the mayor of Boujan-sur-Libron, suspected of illegal taking of interest, placed in police custody

Gérard Abella, le maire de Boujan-sur-Libron, plaide l'inexpérience. Sylvie Cambon – Midi Libre

Since 2020, the mayor of Boujan-sur-Libron has defended himself from any accusation in a case of illegal taking of interest. He was placed in police custody this Thursday morning, January 18, before the DTPJ police officers in Montpellier.

After a little more than three years of investigation, Gérard Abella, the mayor of Boujan-sur-Libron, was placed in police custody this Thursday morning, January 18, in the premises of the DTPJ (territorial directorate of the judicial police) at the Montpellier police station. "The custody of the mayor of Boujan-sur-Libron, Mr. Abella, was lifted at the beginning of the afternoon, confirmed the prosecutor of the Deputy Republic of Montpellier, Laurent Fekkar. He was heard in the context of a case of illegal taking of interest, in particular, in the sale of land in Boujan-sur-Libron. The procedure will be handed over to me in its entirety in a few days and I will then decide on the follow-up to be given to this investigation."

A search of Boujan town hall

On November 19, 2020, the town hall of Boujan-sur-Libron was searched by SRPJ police officers, under the authority of the Montpellier public prosecutor's office. "The Béziers public prosecutor's office having relinquished to the benefit of the Montpellier public prosecutor's office following an expatriation decision taken by the public prosecutor at the Montpellier Court of Appeal, then specified the public prosecutor of Béziers, Raphaël Balland .

Questioned in January 2021 about the search of his town hall, Gérard Abella had stated, mistaken in the year covered by the facts: "Yes, there was indeed a search in the town hall and it concerns matters dating back to 2013. I was not yet mayor as far as I know. The police spent the morning on site and also recovered numerous other documents concerning other files. They explained to me that they frequently controlled town halls in this way. We have nothing to reproach ourselves for."

Conflicts of interest, but not only ?

According to our information, confirmed by a person close to the case, the investigators of the financial section of the DTPJ are working on other matters than that of land: "on conflict of interest problems ;rsquo;supposed interests and illegal taking of supposed interests. Gérard Abella allegedly obtained public contracts without being authorized to do so when he became mayor. He also allegedly failed to leave the municipal council room during the votes on these market awards."

Gérard Abella's explanations upon leaving police custody

Gérard Abella explained to Midi Libre his morning in front of the police. "I was summoned this morning at 9 a.m. and I am very surprised that this became known. I wonder if this is really legal. This morning I had to answer questions about a complaint someone filed against me. I don't know who and I would like to know. It was not police custody, but a summons. I only stayed with the police for a few hours. Anyway, I answered all the questions. Point by point. There is nothing. I made mistakes when acquiring land. The facts date back to 2014. I had just been elected mayor of Boujan a little over a month ago. I didn't know the rules. I didn't know that it was necessary to go out during this type of deliberation. This is why someone filed a complaint against me and again, months after the events for which I am accused."

No lawyer alongside the mayor

The Edile recognizes beginner's mistakes which he assures he will no longer make. "There is no matter. This has been going on for a long time because there was Covid. That’s why it lasts. That’s what the policeman told me. Not because they found stuff. Nothing else. I went to respond to the police without a lawyer. I was totally inexperienced when I was elected. I didn’t put a cent in my pocket. I didn't deny anything because I made mistakes through lack of experience, through naivety. I no longer do it today, because I have ten years of mandate behind me. Now I'm waiting for what happens next." The complainant, if he recognizes himself, can always make himself known to the mayor who would no doubt like to speak with him.

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