On this second day of the vote buying trial during the 2009 and 2010 municipal campaigns in Corbeil-Essonnes, Jacques Lebigre, found himself at the heart of the debates and answered at length the questions asked by the magistrates and lawyers.
This 78-year-old man had known Serge Dassault since 1981, after having “met him by chance.
After 15 minutes, he asked me if I wanted to run against the PCF in 1982, for his Liberal Party.
He then made me the national secretary of this party which lasted until 1986. "
Jacques Lebigre followed the billionaire and became his chief of staff when the latter finally won the town hall of Corbeil-Essonnes in 1995. He was then elected to the municipal council between 2001 and 2010. A faithful in whom Serge Dassault had complete confidence.
It is therefore he who will serve as an intermediary between those who demand money, a job, a housing… and the mayor of Corbeil.
Serge Dassault will transfer very large sums to Jacques Lebigre's account, the latter redistributing them, to the tune of more than 170,000 euros between 2008 and 2010, to more than a hundred beneficiaries, in checks or in cash.
"We have supported, with Serge Dassault, people in difficulty"
A system updated when a listing was entered in 2013 at the Pinsons residence in Corbeil-Essonnes, which served as campaign HQ for Serge Dassault and his teams.
On this listing, 113 names, with opposite columns "paid", "not paid", with sums of money, and a column "comments" with the words "driver's license", "contract assisted", "housing "...
The amounts paid which are mentioned there, Jacques Lebigre acknowledges, correspond to the checks he signed.
"All these people who are on the Finches list admitted to having participated in the elections for money", launches the judge.
Nothing to see, assures the defendant: “We supported, with Serge Dassault, people in difficulty, even if they had a criminal record.
To support them.
This device was particularly appreciated, even if we had some disappointments.
Some have had a license, a job and this device has been passed on in all the municipalities of France ”, support with aplomb the septuagenarian.
Money distributed in cash on the parking lot of the town hall
But if they were charitable works, why not have gone through a legal framework, an association, ask the magistrates.
“Because with the administration it would have taken 6 months, a year.
We had to act quickly.
When Mr. Dassault sees a woman in the street with children, he warns what, social services, the prefecture and… nothing.
So he takes out his checkbook.
He's like that.
But he was also solicited by thugs, crooks ... "" The fact that this listing was found in a campaign HQ nevertheless makes the link with the electoral campaign, "the prosecutor pointed out.
"And why didn't he assign a dedicated account for that by giving you power of attorney?"
Why is he going through you?
", Titillates Anticor's lawyer, civil party in this case.
“Because Lebigre is a friend and there you go!
It was easier for him (Editor's note: Serge Dassault) ”, answers the defendant.
“All these people are talking about money to influence the elections.
I don't see how they can all be suspected of making an alliance.
They all say the same thing ”, insists the president of the hearing, who recalls that witnesses assure that in addition to the checks, sums of money in cash were distributed in envelopes in the parking lot of the town hall, sometimes directly not Jacques Lebigre.
" They lie !
exclaims the latter.
These are bad people who didn't get what they wanted.
It is pure delirium, this kind of testimony is infamous.
"And to insist," Serge Dassault presented himself to Corbeil from 1977. He was not elected until 1995. If he had wanted to buy the elections, he would have won them all.
But that was definitely not his way of doing things.
We never wanted to influence anyone's vote.
"
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The hearing continues this Thursday at the Paris court.
