how the deputy for Eure, Timothée Houssin, defends himself from accusations of fictitious employment

At the Paris criminal court, the lawyers of the defendants in the case of the European parliamentary assistants of the FN have been speaking since Monday, November 25, 2024. All are pleading for release for the acts of concealment and misappropriation of public funds, in particular Timothée Houssin, deputy of Eure.

Since September 30, 2024, the Paris criminal court has tried 28 defendants in the case of the European parliamentary assistants of the National Front.

Among them are three Normans: Nicolas Bay, Timothée Houssin and Thierry Légier. Justice suspects the far-right party of having organized a system of embezzlement in the European Parliament.

In front of 11^e chamber of the Paris Criminal Court, it is the political future of Timothée Houssin and Nicolas Bay that is at stake. The first was the parliamentary assistant of the second between the 1^is July 2014 and March 31, 2015.

During this same period, justice suspects Timothée Houssin of having actually worked within the general secretariat of the National Front.

Was Timothée Houssin, now deputy (RN) for Eure, a fictitious parliamentary assistant? “My client was criticized for the lack of proof of his work, commence M^e Maxime Delacarte, lawyer for the defendant, during his pleadings, Monday November 25, 2024. That doesn't mean that Mr. Houssin didn't work. He was the transmission belt for Nicolas Bay in Normandy.”

Before the three judges, the defense lawyers attempt to demonstrate the materiality of the work of the parliamentary assistants of the time. “To theAt the time, my client worked a lot, 50 to 70 hours a week. He was both Nicolas Bay's assistant and a volunteer within the National Front. continues M^e Delacarte.

In the front row in the courtroom, Timothée Houssin listens attentively to his lawyer's pleading. Between 2014 and 2015, “He had an extremely busy schedule.” He notably participated in the preparation of the departmental elections. Volunteering according to the defense, a second full-time job according to the prosecution.

“Mr. Houssin has never denied his voluntary activity within the party. He is the only one during this trial to have admitted that he should have reduced his contract as a European parliamentary assistant to part-time.”assures Timothée Houssin’s lawyer.

I think, in my particular case, that we were able to provide tangible elements. I was relatively well listened to by the judges when I took the stand on October 23. I hope my word will be heard and I will be released.

Timothée Houssin, former parliamentary assistant to Nicolas Bay

November 25, 2024, at the Paris court

M^e Delacarte requested the acquittal for the acts of concealment of embezzlement of public funds. The prosecution, for its part, had on November 13 requested 10 months of suspended prison time, a fine of 10,000 euros and one year of ineligibility with provisional execution.

In the courtroom, another Normand, a former regional councilor, is also suspected of the same facts. Thierry Légier, historic bodyguard of Jean-Marie Le Pen and Marine Le Pen, was also a parliamentary assistant to several MEPs.

“My client was more than just a gun holder“, assures his lawyer M^e Solange Doumic. The prosecution requested a 70,000 euro fine, 10 months suspended prison sentence and one year of ineligibility with provisional execution against Thierry Légier.

Nicolas Bay, for his part, has also always denied the misappropriation of public funds with which he is accused. Prosecutors requested against him 18 months in prison, 12 of which were suspended, accompanied by a fine of 30,000, and three years of ineligibility with provisional execution.

The trial is due to end on Wednesday November 27 with the closing arguments of Marine Le Pen's lawyer. The court's decision is expected in January 2025.