“Ms. Fillon, explain the link to your work. Nathalie Gavarino, the president of the 32nd Chamber of the Criminal Court, tirelessly asks the same question. During the investigation, the lawyers of Penelope Fillon and her husband - prosecuted for embezzlement of public funds, complicity and concealment - poured a quantity of documents supposed, according to them, to justify the reality of his work as parliamentary assistant . A mass of letters or email exchanges that the president conscientiously takes up one by one. Without sometimes betraying a certain perplexity.
For example, this letter arrived in spring 2012 at the home of the Fillon couple in Sarthe regarding the request for a police transfer. "What was your job as a parliamentary assistant? questions the president. What do you suggest as an indication for treatment? What do you give as instructions very specifically? I can't really pinpoint your role. »Penelope Fillon, who claims among her functions the management of part of her husband's mail, explains having transmitted her instructions to Sylvie Fourmont, the faithful secretary of François Fillon in Sarthe. "Madame Fourmont, in light of her experience, really needed you for that?" »Reminds Nathalie Gavarino, in an even tone. " Yes. It was useful for her to have a double view, ”explains the defendant. “Penelope's role was to oversee things. She had the role of principal, ”assured her husband earlier.
François flies to the rescue of Penelope
But the president, clearly doubtful, is tenacious. This time, we are talking about the letter sent in February 2013 by a doctor from Le Mans worried about the modification of the plan for the prevention of natural risks near his property. "What was your indication to Mrs. Fourmont? Asked the judge. "I told him I had to talk to the department," says Penelope Fillon, still dressed in her black pantsuit. "I stumble a little over this. Again, Ms. Fourmont was very experienced. Couldn't she take the initiative to write such a generic letter? Whenever his wife is in trouble, her husband flies to the rescue. "If the mail was processed automatically by Ms. Fourmont, I would never have known," asserts François Fillon. "Couldn't she alert you?" Nathalie Gavarino continues. " I think not. She has qualities but not those. The room utters “Oh” of indignation.
Among the litany of elements provided by the defense over the period 2012-2013 are several emails with more personal content. Penelope Fillon is thus asked about the couple's presence at a dinner organized in 2013 at the Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris on the subject of cancer research. "If you had only been François Fillon's wife, wouldn't you have also received the invitation?" Asked the president. " No. Well yes, surely, ”she stammers. The National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) sees in it “mundaneness”. "These are obligations," replies from tick tock François Fillon, who, at the time deputy of Paris, is quietly orbiting the presidential. "It is perfectly in her role as a parliamentary collaborator to accompany me," he insists.
Assistant work or social role of the wife?
Between the former Prime Minister and the prosecution, the opposition is head-on on the subject. “Your wife was necessarily involved in political life: that makes sense, considers Aurélien Létocart, one of the two PNF representatives at the hearing. But the question of this trial is: does it deserve remuneration as a parliamentary assistant? You opposed the joker card separation of powers, but what is the difference between the paid parliamentary assistant and the social role of the wife? "The social role of the wife of a parliamentarian is a concept that belongs only to you," replied François Fillon dryly. This deserves to be questioned about your very archaic vision of society. "
Bruno Nataf, the second magistrate of the prosecution, does not let it be told: "There are many functions fulfilled which are more the social role of an elected partner, with an obvious personal investment. But from there to whether it is a paid professional activity, it is another debate… "François Fillon quips:" If at least this trial allows the prosecutor to review his vision of the social role of a wife … ”But in the end, it is the court's opinion on this central question that will count.
