She is accused of having helped Corsican banditry to protect her ex-spouse: a magistrate indicted and imprisoned

La magistrate a été placée en détention provisoire ce samedi. MAXPPP – Vincent Isore

A magistrate was indicted and imprisoned for her links with Corsican banditry this Saturday, February 6. 

A French magistrate was indicted on 11 charges and then imprisoned this Saturday, April 6, in an investigation opened into her suspicious links with a member of Corsican banditry, the Nice prosecutor told AFP.

Hélène Gerhards, who presided over the Agen Assize Court until January 2023, was charged in particular with embezzlement of public funds, influence peddling and even criminal conspiracy. Opened in January 2021, the investigation targets acts allegedly committed between 2008 and 2022, in particular during this magistrate's visit to Corsica, from 2010 to 2016. Total funds embezzled "could be valued at more than 120 000 euros", according to the Nice prosecutor.

A villa south of Ajaccio

The two investigating judges retained no less than 11 offenses among the 20 present in the judicial information: forgery in public writing by a depositary of public authority, use of forgery, misappropriation of public funds, use of the services of a person carrying out work hidden within an organized gang, passive and active influence peddling, criminal association with a view to preparing a crime or misdemeanor, money laundering, construction without a permit, misappropriation of the purpose of personal data files and complicity in violation of professional secrecy.

This corresponds to the requisitions of the Nice prosecutor. A judge of freedoms and detention was then seized by the investigating judges and ordered the placement in pre-trial detention of Ms. Gerhards.

"In the light of telephone interceptions", it appeared that this magistrate, placed in custody seen this Wednesday, April 3, "appeared in a close relationship with an individual very unfavorably known to the police, in particular regarding work in a villa of which she was the occupant, located on the south bank of Ajaccio", prefecture of South Corsica, the prosecutor wrote in a press release on Friday.

"Pool and jacuzzi"

This "architect villa" of 320 m2, with "exceptional sea view, a stone's throw from the beach", with "swimming pool and jacuzzi", could be rented for up to 2 260 euros per night during the summer, reported a rental ad.

According to sources close to the case, the individual in question is Johann Carta, indicted and imprisoned in several investigations, notably in December 2023 in a case of "fraud, extortion and money laundering by organized gang".

"Also in regular contact with other people known to the police, the magistrate seemed to maintain a close relationship made in particular by reciprocal services", added the prosecutor.

"Among the services rendered", the investigation &quot ;highlighted that the magistrate could, in addition to legal advice, seek and communicate information concerning ongoing procedures or data from files", he specified. False expertise "in IT matters and translation", would have notably benefited the"ex- spouse" of the magistrate.

"A settling of scores within the judiciary"

During her hearings in police custody, the magistrate "first contested any infraction and any failure to fulfill its professional obligations", before recognizing "illicit consultation of data for the benefit of an unfavorably known individual, according to the prosecutor.

Denouncing an "investigation carried out exclusively against the prosecution" against a magistrate " appreciated in each of her positions for her work and her pugnacity", her lawyers Me Caty Richard and Me Yann Le Bras indicated to the AFP that’after having had "finally access to the work of three years of hard work", they have & quot;have already found elements that call into question the prosecution's thesis".

"Other procedural solutions were possible, but the path of institutional violence was chosen" , they denounce, believing that "it’is the absolute failure of an innocent incarcerated". This Thursday, April 6, they wondered "about a possible settling of scores within the judiciary".

Hélène Gerhards is not the first magistrate to have worked in Corsica concerned by the justice system: in October 2022, a judge from the Corsican city of Bastia was indicted for "illegal taking of interest".