The president of the Somme departmental council, Stéphane Haussoulier, sentenced to three years in prison for fraud and money laundering

Justice accuses him of embezzling nearly 370,000 euros, over a period from June 2016 to December 2023, within the framework of his various functions.

The president of the Somme departmental council, Stéphane Haussoulier, was sentenced, Tuesday, December 3, to three years in prison and a fine of 30,000 euros for breach of trust, fraud and money laundering, France Bleu has learned Picardy to the court. The hearing took place on October 1 in Beauvais (Oise) and the deliberations fell on Tuesday. The elected official was found guilty of all the facts. He will also have to reimburse the amounts collected.

Justice accuses him of embezzling nearly 370,000 euros, over a period from June 2016 to December 2023, within the framework of his various functions: vice-president then president of the Somme department, mayor of Saint-Valery-sur -Somme, president of the Baie de Somme mixed union and secretary of the Hauts-de-France regional federation of public works. Stéphane Haussoulier had requested, over this seven-year period, the reimbursement in double or even triple of 173 expense reports.

The president of the department was also judged for having used the credit cards made available as part of his duties, to withdraw money or pay “miscellaneous purchases“. With this he paid for food costs, skincare products, train tickets, pastries at Pierre Hermé but also spa services, in cabarets or strip clubs.

During the hearing in Beauvais, he disputed the facts and spoke of “neglect”. His lawyers had pleaded for acquittal. The Beauvais public prosecutor's office had requested a two-year suspended prison sentence, three years of ineligibility with provisional execution and a fine of 60,000 euros.

Stéphane Haussoulier was also sentenced to three years of ineligibility, but without immediate effect. He was not present in court for the judgment. “Given the decision, we are considering filing an appeal,” indicates by telephone Me Antoine Maisonneuve, lawyer of Stephane Haussoulier, to France Bleu Picardie.