It all started in the wake of the revelations of Vif who had revealed that Joëlle Milquet, then minister, had hired around ten collaborators from her office to whom she had entrusted tasks linked to the electoral campaign of June 2014. A practice which aroused the suspicions of the justice system.
In 2015, the Brussels public prosecutor’s office opened an investigation, and Joëlle Milquet – as well as other people in her entourage – was charged with illegal taking of interests. She will also subsequently be charged with forgery and use of computer forgery.
Joëlle Milquet officially elected as president of the RTBF board of directors
Joëlle Milquet has always denied all of these accusations, and the legal saga, which began almost ten years ago, has been slowed down by various procedures (including the request for additional duties).
The case was further delayed at the end of 2021, after, at the request of Ms. Milquet’s defense, the indictment chamber asked the constitutional court a preliminary question. The answer came in January 2023.
The investigation could continue, but time was running out to avoid statute of limitations and put an end to this case through either a trial or dismissal without further action due to lack of evidence.
Another route was also possible, that of a plea bargain.
Our colleagues from The Free we learn from good sources that this is the option that was chosen by Joëlle Milquet’s defense.
Contacted, Adrien Masset, Joëlle Milquet’s lawyer, politely responded “he had no comment at this stage.”
Joëlle Milquet affair: the “immunity” of the former Minister of Education could also be lifted in the FWB parliament
As a reminder, a plea bargain is not a sanction and does not mean that the person negotiating such an agreement de facto recognizes his or her guilt. Above all, it is a practice which makes it possible to put an end to a legal procedure (especially if it is long) and prevents the protagonists from the bad publicity that a trial can generate.
More information to follow…
