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In the case of hundreds of polls ordered by the Elysee for several million euros under the five-year term of Nicolas Sarkozy, the judge Serge Tournaire decided to dismiss the former secretary general of the Elysee Claude Gueant and 5 other former relatives of the former head of state before the Criminal Court, including for embezzlement of public funds.
The case dates back to 2009. The Court of Accounts then points irregularities in orders for polls of the Elysee , for amounts described as " exorbitant ".
The following year, the association Anticor filed a complaint for misappropriation of public funds and favoritism. The prosecutor's office does not immediately follow up, considering that Nicolas Sarkozy is protected by his presidential immunity and that it extends to his collaborators.
Finally, justice opens the door to possible prosecution against the former president's aides and in 2013 an investigation is opened . It will last six years. On the one hand, it focuses on orders placed with institutes known to be unfamiliar with public procurement rules. On the other, it is interested in contracts tied, also without calls for tender, with the companies of two close to Nicolas Sarkozy, including his unofficial advisor Patrick Buisson .
Favoritism and misappropriation of public funds
At the end of the day, the judge decides to send six people to the criminal court . Starting with Claude Gueant. Described as the organizer of the contract signatures, the former Secretary General of the Elysee will appear for favoritism and embezzlement of public funds by negligence, just like Emmanuelle Mignon, former director of cabinet Nicolas Sarkozy.
As for Patrick Buisson, he is sent back for embezzlement of public funds, abuse of social property and concealment of favoritism. His firm would have bought 235 polls between 2007 and 2009, resold to the presidency for a profit of 1.4 million euros.