Relax of a former UDI mayor of Seine-Saint-Denis prosecuted for favoritism

The Bobigny correctional court on Friday, October 22, released Laurent Rivoire, a former UDI mayor of Noisy-le-Sec (Seine-Saint-Denis), of the proceedings concerning the irregular award of public contracts within the HLM office of the city.

The court found that the evidence was insufficient and that certain facts were prescribed, and thus acquitted the former centrist of acts of favoritism, influence peddling and illegal taking of interest between 2011 and 2015.

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During the hearing in mid-September, the prosecutor asked for a three-year suspended prison sentence and a 130,000 euros fine against Laurent Rivoire, 58, elected from 2010 to 2020 at the head of this city popular.

He was suspected in particular of not having complied with the tendering procedures and of having favored relatives in the award of around twenty contracts (renovation, maintenance, communication, etc.) for an amount estimated at around 3.4 million euros.

At the helm, he explained that he had to straighten out the mixed economy company (SAEM) Noisy-le-Sec Habitat, being also CEO of this HLM office managing around 2,200 social housing units.

And had recognized, at most, a lack of knowledge of the rules of public order.

Laurent Rivoire "never betrayed the Noiséens"

"

", reacted Mathias Chichportich, one of his lawyers. "

," he added. The other seven defendants - business leaders, right-hand man of the former mayor - who appeared for their alleged participation to varying degrees, were also released.

There is "a

" persisted Jean-Paul Lefebvre, elected from the left, pugnacious opponent of the former mayor and civil party representing the anti-corruption association Anticor.

Unlike the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF), the magistrates in Bobigny "

" said Jean-Paul Lefebvre, at the origin of the preliminary investigation by a report to justice at the end of 2014.