Stéphane Plaza tried for violence against his ex-partners

The trial of the 54-year-old host and real estate agent opens in Paris. He faces ten years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros.

Star television host and real estate agent Stéphane Plaza is on trial Thursday before the Paris criminal court for regular violence against two former partners, which he contests.

Stéphane Plaza must be present, his lawyers Carlo Alberto Brusa and Hélène Plumet assured Tuesday. He should have been tried in August but did not appear at the hearing, due, according to his defense, to “psychological fragilities”.

The 54-year-old real estate agent will be judged for “habitual physical and/or psychological violence by a partner” between 2018 and 2022 on a former partner, Amandine, as well as for “habitual psychological violence by a partner” on another, Paola, between 2021 and 2022.

A total incapacity for work (which defines the severity of the repercussions on health) of more than eight days was established for these two women. Both will be present at the hearing, according to their advice.

“Revenge in lies”

Stéphane Plaza, who faces ten years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros, contests these accusations, to which are added threats denounced by a third ex-partner. He will show “his two accusers that building revenge through lies will not lead to any conviction,” assured his defense.

The accusations against Stéphane Plaza began in September 2023, with the publication by Mediapart of the testimonies of three former partners, who denounced “humiliation, threats, verbal violence and, for two of them, physical violence”. The investigative journal also mentioned “problematic behavior” on the part of the host in a professional context.

The prosecution opened an investigation into domestic violence shortly after, following the receipt of letters from Plaza’s two ex-partners. Immediately afterwards, the host announced that he had filed a complaint against the two women three months earlier, for harassment and cyberharassment.

This complaint has not yet resulted in charges.

“Liquidate” emissions

Initially a real estate agent, Stéphane Plaza became a star of the small screen when M6 propelled him in 2006 to the head of the shows “Research apartment or house” and “Maison à vente” (2007), followed by “Chasseurs d’appart” (2015).

In the absence of a conviction of the host by the courts, M6 has repeatedly ruled out ending their collaboration. In the fall, however, several media outlets claimed that the channel was working to “liquidate” the Stéphane Plaza shows already in stock.

Asked ahead of the trial by AFP, the channel did not wish to comment.

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