- Éric de Montgolfier
Éric de Montgolfier is a famous French
prosecutor ("procureur de la République").When head prosecutor in
Valenciennes , he became famous for prosecuting the businessman-cum-politicianBernard Tapie for rigging the match between his football clubOlympique de Marseille and the local clubValenciennes FC . Tapie was sentenced to prison in1995 for complicity of corruption andsubornation ofwitness es.In
2003 , as head prosecutor ofNice , he returned to public notice with allegations that the local judiciary had deliberately derailedJustice by miscarrying procedures, letting prescription lapse, or losing files, in "sensitive" cases; he also indicated that some members of the judiciary had unhealthy contacts inMasonic lodges with local personalities, including those they had to prosecute.Montgolfier also opened a
criminal investigation targeting rock starJohnny Halliday for allegedly raping an employee of ayacht rented by Halliday. He had also hinted at possible investigations concerning corruption in the city ofNice 's administration.An official report from the inspection corps of the Justice ministry blamed him for unwarranted accusations against his colleagues, but supporters of Montgolfier argue that he is criticized merely because he has uncovered cases involving well-connected people.
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