In 2020, the arrival of Covid-19 caused a health but also an economic crisis, with many businesses suddenly finding themselves at a standstill. To cope, the State had released significant funds which prevented the closure of many small businesses. Many played the game, while others took advantage of it to enrich themselves. This is the case of a 33-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, living in Airvault and presented Thursday January 9, 2025 before the Niort criminal court.
The prosecution proposes a reprieve, the court orders closure
The couple, of Romanian origin, are suspected of having made false income declarations in order to receive the exceptional solidarity fund linked to Covid. “You are going to make seven requests, for two companies: the resale of cars for you, Sir, and the sale of textiles for Madame,” underlines judge Igor Souchu. “Each time, you will declare a very low turnover compared to that of 2019, which does not correspond at all to that which you give to Urssaf. »
The couple, who do not speak French, acknowledge, via a translator who accompanies them at the bar, that they have “cheated”. “We learned in the media that this bonus existed, so we asked, we are sorry. » In total, he will receive €26,000, and she €16,000 from this solidarity fund. The judge can’t help but wonder about how they made these requests. “You need a real approach to do it, it’s not easy even when you master French. You had no problem doing it…”
But that’s not all, because by lying about their income, the couple did not contribute as they should have to Urssaf and above all, they received the Active Solidarity Income (RSA), the activity bonus and family allowances for her two children. “In total, you illegally received nearly €30,000 in social fraud,” the magistrate points out to them.
“All combined, €80,000 was paid into their accounts, immediately emptied once the sums were received,” adds the representative of the prosecution. “Here we have a well-established system of fraud, where we deceive the French administration, which gives first and then controls. »
With his car business, which he did not declare, the spouse is also being prosecuted for concealed work. “He did not have a police register, which every trader in the area must keep,” underlines the prosecutor, before requesting a three-month suspended prison sentence against her, and a six-month suspended prison sentence against him. “They are incapable of knowing what the contributions are for,” defends their lawyer, Me Gérald Froidefond. “So even if they admitted you cheated, I’m not sure they were aware they did it. »
That’s not enough to clear them, on the contrary. The court was much more severe than the prosecution by sentencing them to prison: eight months for him and four months for her. “You will be summoned before the sentence enforcement judge to possibly adjust these sentences. » The sanction is also obviously financial: between the Department of Deux-Sèvres, the Family Allowance Fund and the State, they will have to repay almost €70,000 in total.
