Trial ordered for Mimi Marchand, suspected of blackmailing Karine Le Marchand

An investigating judge ordered a trial before the Paris Criminal Court on August 7 for Michèle “Mimi” Marchand, a celebrity in the tabloids, suspected of trying to extort money from television host Karine Le Marchand, Agence France-Presse learned on Wednesday from a source close to the case, confirming information from Mediapart.

According to this source, Mimi Marchand, 77, who disputes the facts, will be tried for extortion for having put pressure on the host of “L’amour est dans le pré” (M6), a civil party in this case, who paid her 1,600 euros so that she would not publish photos of her daughter leaving police custody.

Karine Le Marchand filed a complaint in mid-February 2020 with the National Police Inspectorate (IGPN) indicating that a « source » of her acquaintance had narrowly avoided the publication of photos of her daughter leaving police custody in exchange for the payment of 3,000 euros. At the time, the presenter had not mentioned the name of her source, Michèle Marchand.

The two women met a few days later at a lunch where the woman who also hosted “Une ambition intime” and “Les Maternelles” handed over 1,600 euros to begin repaying this « service ».

According to the source close to the case, Mimi Marchand is suspected of having put pressure on Karine Le Marchand, who did not make herself available and did not pay her the full amount mentioned (3,000 euros) during their first exchange, by telling her: “It will be too late… it’s annoying for the little one.” During questioning, Mimi Marchand denied any form of pressure and stated that it was Karine Le Marchand who had “insisted” for her to take the money.

A police officer before the courts

The photos were taken by Sébastien Valiela, a star paparazzi, who will be tried for active corruption. A trial has also been ordered for one of his alleged informants, police officer Marc M., 45.

Due to the links between the protagonists, this section was attached to an emblematic case, consequently judged during the same trial: the investigation opened after the broadcast by Paris Match In February 2020, photos and a video were released showing Russian Pyotr Pavlensky lying face down on the ground with his hands handcuffed.

Two days earlier, Piotr Pavlenski had claimed responsibility for the distribution of sexual videos of Benjamin Griveaux, then candidate of La République en Marche (LREM) for Mayor of Paris, precipitating his withdrawal from the municipal battle on February 14, 2020.

Marc M. and another police officer, David O., 55, are suspected of having informed Sébastien Valiela about the upcoming arrest. Marc M. will therefore be tried for forgery of public documents for these facts, because he is suspected of having falsified a police report to hide Sébastien Valiela’s key role in the episode.