Questioned at the trial for influence peddling on the extension of the Port shopping center, Mayor Olivier Hoarau admitted that the messages exchanged about “kilos of fruit” did indeed mean money. But that these were loans from his friend and not bribes from the Casino group.
Called to the stand this Wednesday, November 13, on the first day of the trial for alleged corruption in the extension of the Cap Sacré-Coeur shopping center, Olivier Hoarau once again denied any influence peddling in this case.
He recognizes, however, that the “kilos of fruit” mentioned in the SMS conversations with his first deputy Fayzal Ahmed-Vali, whose hearing took place this morning, did indeed mention money.
Watch the report from Réunion La 1ère:
The mayor of the Port at the helm in the case of the extension of Cap Sacré-Coeur
“When we talk about sorrel, wheat, flouze, dough… for me it's the same thing.”
Olivier Hoarau, mayor of the Port, at the helm of the criminal court
–“Yes, mangoes and lychees were money. A kilo was a thousand euros” concedes the mayor of the Port.
–“But why such language? These are thug techniques…”objects the president.
–“It’s an expression that we used with Fayzal and that I also adopted. When we talk about sorrel, wheat, flouze, dough… for me it’s the same thing”replies Olivier Hoarau.
For the rest, the mayor of the Port maintains his denials. Yes, he met people “financial difficulties” and his friend Fayzal lent him money, checks cashed on his account. No, this money did not come from funds paid by Casino to municipal associations.
In any case, for the mayor who campaigned on the “revitalization of the city center”the project was far too advanced by the previous majority, and there was nothing they could have done to prevent it.
The instruction nevertheless highlighted the “nuisance power” very real of the newly elected municipal team in May 2014. At that time, the land on which the large distribution group was eyeing had still not been transferred, and the building permit had not yet been granted.
In addition, the Port merchants' association strongly opposed the project, which was contested even before the administrative court of appeal. But for the defense, it was the agreement made with the Casino group for a subsidy and participation in the renovation of the covered market which prompted the ACP to withdraw its action.
A little earlier, the hearing of a defense witness cast a cloud of perplexity over the proceedings. The man presenting himself as president of the Le Port Musculation Association did everything to separate the dubious financial flows between his association and the Casino group from the case of Olivier Hoarau. Even if it means accusing himself of embezzlement.
“Tens of thousands of euros used for trips, parties and batay rooster”, recognizes the man who was never the subject of prosecution. What the defense was quick to point out.
The hearing continues this Thursday, November 14, with the hearings of Bernard Payet, the chief of staff, Eric Heinz, the representative of the Casino group prosecuted for corruption, as well as the wife of Fayzal Ahmed-Vali, tried for money laundering.
