On Wednesday June 26, the investigating magistrates ordered the release of the former mayor of Agde, taking into account in particular “the resignation of all his elected mandates”. The Béziers public prosecutor’s office has requested the release of Sophia Martinez, the clairvoyant, which will be set for Friday.
The two investigating judges in charge of the Gilles d’Ettore case, the mayor of Agde indicted for embezzlement, illegal taking of interest and corruption, and placed in pre-trial detention since March 21, 2024, ordered his release this Wednesday, June 26.
He is suspected of having granted large favors to Sophia, his clairvoyant ventriloquist who called him up to ten times a day with a masculine voice, deep and hoarse, interspersed with sighs to ask him “to protect Sophia.”
She had thus financed her veranda, a jacuzzi, a sumptuous wedding and even obtained the hiring of several of her relatives.
Gilles D’Ettore had requested his release on several occasions. In vain.
The magistrates took into account his resignation and his plan to move away from Hérault
The magistrates particularly took into account “the resignation of all his elected mandates since May 31, 2024 and the presentation of an accommodation project far from the department” indicates the public prosecutor of Béziers Raphaël Balland.
The former mayor of Agde is placed under judicial control from June 26 with several constraints: obligation to reside with a friend in Dordogne and prohibitions on going to Hérault, leaving the national territory and “to enter into contact in any way whatsoever with a long list of persons designated by name and in general with any person exercising elective mandates” continues the prosecutor.
Further specifying the Agde town hall, the Hérault Méditerranée agglomeration community and the joint union of the Biterrois territorial coherence plan.
“He is at the disposal of justice”
“The release of Gilles d’Ettore corresponds to a fair application of our principles of freedom and presumption of innocence. He remains, as since the start of this investigation, at the disposal of justice” reacts Me Jean-Marc Darrigade, his lawyer.
Sophia Martinez is also placed in pre-trial detention in Nîmes following her indictment in particular for “fraud and concealment of embezzlement”.
During a hearing held this Wednesday, June 26, before the judge of freedoms and detention, the prosecution requested his release under judicial supervision. The prosecutor requested the condition, including “to impose on him a residence far from the department”.
It will be set this Friday, June 28.
