A Mr. Bernard, president of a local authority, tried in Lyon for embezzlement of public funds?
Let environmentalist voters rest assured, it is not Bruno Bernard but Jean-Marie Bernard who appears this Wednesday before the Lyon judicial court. President of the Hautes-Alpes Department, he must answer for the facts of “favoritism”, “illegal taking of interest” and “embezzlement of public funds”.
Jean-Marie Bernard is accused of not having respected the strict rules in the context of four public contracts awarded by his community. Furthermore, the elected LR would have had the purchase of his personal vehicle financed by the Department, while favoring Volkswagen even though another company had come out on top during the call for tenders.
Without forgetting the purchase of golf equipment, hotel nights and the 10,000 euros in mileage costs identified by the Regional Chamber of Accounts and which it will be difficult to justify for Jean-Marie Bernard, in office since 2015. This the latter had also himself signed the order which recorded the promotion of his wife within the Department's services in Gap, which may constitute a conflict of interest.
In this sprawling case, its former deputy general director has already been sentenced to 6 months in prison and a fine of 1,500 euros during an appearance on prior admission of guilt.
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