Alain Griset, Minister for SMEs, targeted by two investigations after reports in particular from the High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life (HATVP) for suspicion of "breach of trust", said on Friday to have "shown proof of" honesty ”.
"I have brought elements of clarification to the High Authority, there is a procedure so I will answer it", replied the Minister on Europe 1. "I have shown honesty and we will see the rest", he added, asserting that he could not "comment on an ongoing procedure".
The High Authority for transparency, took legal action for omitting to declare a substantial part of his heritage, Alain Griset said he was confident: "I have shown honesty .." # Europe1 pic.twitter.com / Elf6TCPWAi
- Europe 1 🎧🌍📻 (@ Europe1) November 27, 2020
The High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life (HATVP) said on Tuesday that it had referred the case to the Minister for SMEs Alain Griset for "substantial omission" of a part of its heritage and suspicion of "breach of trust ".
A PEA at 171,000 euros
Alain Griset's “declaration of patrimonial situation”, who took office in July, “omits financial participations held in a stock savings plan, as well as the associated cash account, for a total amount of 171,000 euros, in order to to prevent the revelation of facts liable to receive the criminal qualification of breach of trust, ”underlined the HATVP.
Two investigations were opened after these reports: a first by the Paris prosecutor's office "on the grounds of omission to declare a substantial part of its assets or its interests", indicated the prosecutor Rémy Heitz.
It was entrusted to the Brigade for the repression of economic delinquency (BRDE).
130 euros reimbursed to the CNAMS
Tracfin, the anti-money laundering unit of Bercy, where the minister works, also made a report to the Lille prosecutor's office.
Which opened another investigation, entrusted to the Central Office for the fight against corruption and financial and fiscal offenses (OCLCIFF).
According to a source familiar with the matter, the office of the National Confederation of Crafts, Trades and Services (CNAMS) of the North entrusted some 130,000 euros in 2019 to Alain Griset to place them on his PEA.
The sum was reimbursed by the minister, a former craftsman-taxi, shortly after taking office last July.
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An independent authority created after the Cahuzac scandal at the start of the Hollande quinquennium, the High Authority notably controls the assets of parliamentarians and ministers, and can take legal action if it detects a fraudulent intention.