The Paris Criminal Court on Thursday sentenced the former all-powerful director of the Institut Montaigne Laurent Bigorgne, a close friend of Emmanuel Macron, to a 12-month suspended sentence.
He was accused of unknowingly drugging his former sister-in-law and collaborator at a party in February.
The prosecution had requested on November 10 a suspended sentence of eighteen months' imprisonment and an obligation of care against the ex-boss of the liberal think tank, who admitted to having drugged his ex-collaborator but denies any sexual intent.
Sophie Conrad had filed a complaint on the night of February 22 to 23, after a dinner at the home of Laurent Bigorgne, who was her superior, but also her sister's ex-husband.
After half a glass of champagne, she had experienced symptoms of taking drugs and had managed to leave the scene to go to the hospital.
An expert then revealed that she had taken MDMA, a synthetic drug from the family of amphetamines also called ecstasy.
“I would never, ever abuse her”
Placed in police custody, Laurent Bigorgne quickly admitted having taken cocaine that evening and poured MDMA into Sophie Conrad's glass.
He resigned from the Institut Montaigne on February 27, after eleven years at its head.
He was sent back to court for administration of a harmful substance by a person acting under the obvious influence of narcotics.
A qualification challenged by Sophie Conrad who regretted that “the sexual motive was not recognized”.
"Today, I no longer really have any doubt that his intention was, alas, sexual and to rape me," said Sophie Conrad, civil party, at the hearing.
“I never touched Sophie, I would never, never have abused her,” replied Laurent Bigorgne.
The case could continue, since Sophie Conrad asks investigating judges to investigate the "attempted rape" of her former boss and an "obstruction to the manifestation of the truth" by Parisian investigators.
