Paris (AFP)

One of the two accusers of Georges Tron, who are prosecuting him for rape and sexual assault, described herself on Tuesday as under "a certain influence" by the former Secretary of State (2010-2011), currently on appeal to the Assises de Paris.

"It's like a web that is woven and we submit. I was completely submissive to my boss," said Virginie Ettel, 43, former employee of the small town of Draveil (Essonne) including Georges Tron at the helm. has been mayor since 1995.

The existence or not of a constrained situation between the elected LR and his two detractors should prove to be decisive in the verdict of this case which has been in the headlines since 2011. It has been tried on appeal since January 19, before the court Assize de Paris.

Following the acquittal at first instance in 2018 of Georges Tron and his ex-cultural assistant Brigitte Gruel, prosecuted for complicity, the civil parties hope to demonstrate during this new trial that the complainants were under the influence of the deputy. -mayor.

Since the start of the procedure, the 63-year-old councilor has categorically denied having ever had sexual relations with these two women.

They accuse him of having imposed touching and digital penetrations on them between 2007 and 2010, under the guise of plantar reflexology sessions.

Tuesday, the Assize Court heard for the first time one of the two plaintiffs, Virginie Ettel.

Now 43, this mother of two described at the helm scenes of foot massages, touching and threesomes with Mr. Tron and Ms. Gruel.

Asked by the president about her little resistance in the sexual antics described, Ms. Ettel explained her conduct by the magnetism of Georges Tron and his power over the staff of the town hall of Draveil.

"I was in a system, a certain hold," said the forty-something, wearing a dark floral dress, black cape over her shoulders.

"Mr. Tron is indeed charismatic, very tall, imposing, quite authoritarian and can go from a mild state to a state of nervousness', she assured." When we are in this town hall, we do not exist not as individuals.

This is a group that is there serving Mr. Tron.

He wants, we do, "she added.

At first instance, the court of Seine-Saint-Denis had estimated that the "general hyper sexualized climate" of the town hall of Draveil gave credibility to the accounts of scenes of a sexual nature made by the complainants.

However, she acquitted the accused by ruling out the existence of a situation of constraint - which characterizes rape and sexual assault in the Penal Code - between the mayor and his two accusers.

His judgment pointed out in particular contradictions, even lies, on the part of the complainants.

© 2021 AFP