Gilles d'Ettore affair: resignation, release, compensation… the questions raised by the incarceration of the mayor of Adge

Gilles d'Ettore a été placé en détention provisoire jeudi 21 mars en fin de journée. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

Gilles d’Ettore, mayor of Agde, president of the Agglo Hérault Méditerranée and the Scot du Biterrois (territorial coherence scheme) has been in pre-trial detention since Thursday March 21. He is suspected of passive corruption, misappropriation of public funds   and illegal taking of interests.

Gilles d’Ettore, suspected of passive corruption, illegal taking of interest and embezzlement of public funds was placed in pre-trial detention this Thursday March 21. Can he remain mayor of Agde while he is in pre-trial detention ? Can he benefit from functional protection and have his defense paid for by the municipality ? Can he be released and when ?

"Having the town hall pay for your defense would be enormous"

"Technically yes, explains an elected representative from Biterrois who intends to remain discreet for his comments. For the second question, having the town hall pay for its defense would be huge, but why not if the council votes for it. Despite everything, he remains very influential in his city and among his elected officials even if they took a huge blow on the day of his arrest and are in deep questioning. He can even keep his allowance as mayor and president of Agglo (around 8,000 € according to an elected official from Agglo Hérault Méditerranée). All this as long as he himself has not resigned."

"But contrary to what his lawyer says (Midi Libre from Friday March 22), he can do it. Prison does not prevent you from writing and sending letters. It would be ethically and intellectually more honest given the situation. Even if it is good to remember that he must benefit from the presumption of innocence. He can also remain a councilor and resume his position as mayor later if he is exonerated. This is a possibility. But it will be difficult."

To resign, Gilles d’Ettore should send his letter to the prefect of Hérault and tell him if he is also resigning from his mandate as municipal councilor.

"For release, you must already know the date"

On the subject of a possible release of the mayor of Agde and according to a lawyer from Béziers who also does not wish to be quoted: "Pre-trial detention must prevent the suspect is in contact with people close to the case. It is therefore very unlikely that the request for release before the investigating chamber in Montpellier will be granted. And here again, the prosecution can appeal if he was released. As for the ban on exercising his mandate, it would then be up to the court to decide, within the framework of a judicial review, whether he can continue to work at the town hall. ;quot;

It now remains to be known the date of the hearing before the investigating chamber, since Gilles d’Ettore has appealed against his placement in pre-trial detention. It may or may not be quick. To be continued!