Damien Castelain will be able to remain president of the European metropolis of Lille until the end of his termThe Lille court delivered its verdict today after a long trial marked by an adjournment and a four-month suspension. Tried for 4 offenses, Damien Castelain is finally sentenced to one year suspended prison sentence, 20,000 euros fine and 5 years of ineligibility. A sentence that is not accompanied by provisional execution, he can therefore finish his term.
On June 11, the prosecution requested a two-year suspended prison sentence and two years of ineligibility for Damien Castelain, accompanied by a ban on exercising his profession at the head of the MEL for one year. He therefore escapes this last punishment.
He was prosecuted for embezzlement of public funds, concealment of breach of trust and illegal taking of interests in 4 different cases. He was found guilty today in the “blue stones case” and in the “lawyers’ fees case”.
Damien Castelain was not present for the deliberations. His lawyer did not wish to comment on the court’s decision. The elected official has the possibility of appealing. At the end of the trial, he had indicated that he would do so if he was convicted.
Also tried in this trial, the former director general of services Bruno Cassette and the former special advisor Constance Tembremande were acquitted.
