A controversy to launch the month of August by Lucie Castets. This Wednesday, July 31, the Chained Duck revealed that the Director of Finance and Purchasing at Paris City Hall, who ten days ago was promoted to the NFP candidate to become Prime Minister, was in a relatively ambivalent situation. She had in fact taken paid leave rather than taking leave, although her status as a civil servant required her to exercise a duty of confidentiality.
A possible breach that the Parisian elected representatives of the right-wing opposition have jumped on. On the same day, they sent a letter to the Paris public prosecutor, citing “a violation of his duty of reserve by his political positions, which exposes him, at the very least, to disciplinary action.”
They also talk about a possible “misappropriation of public funds” because Lucie Castets is still paid by the City of Paris and benefits from the “use of the press service” of the City Hall.
“My personal situation is very clear”
Seeking to occupy the field by increasing her travels this summer to maintain pressure on the Macronist camp, Lucie Castets justified this choice on Thursday on RTL. “My personal situation is very clear and obviously, I made sure that everything was in order. I am currently on paid leave,” she confirmed, affirming that she was “free to use my leave.” “I have the right to have opinions and political activities,” she added, specifying that “if necessary, when the time comes, I will take leave.”
“I can see that the Parisian right-wing opposition is trying to find support points against the New Popular Front, which came out on top in the legislative elections,” also dismissed the candidate of the left-wing alliance for Matignon, believing that this “diverted the debate from the real issues.” She also specified that all her travel expenses were covered by the parties constituting the New Popular Front.
Asked by AFP, Lamia El Aaraje, spokesperson for the socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo, affirmed that the subject had been “well identified” by the services and that the city’s ethics committee had been notified. “Lucie Castets immediately went on leave for the coming period. We will see depending on how the situation evolves or not” whether she remains on leave, she also said. The president of the ethics committee Yves Charpenel, for his part, indicated to AFP that he had not yet received this referral.