Searches were conducted on Thursday at Culture Minister Rachida Dati's home, the 7th arrondissement Paris town hall, and the ministry, as part of a corruption probe tied to her European Parliament mandate. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon defended the minister on Friday, stating she fully belongs in the executive. Dati is presumed innocent and has not commented on the raids.
The searches took place on Thursday, December 18, as part of a judicial investigation opened on October 14 by the economic and financial division of the Paris judicial court. Assigned to two investigating judges, the probe covers charges of active and passive corruption, influence peddling, embezzlement of public funds, handling, and money laundering related to Rachida Dati's European Parliament mandate from 2009 to 2019.
At the center is the suspicion of receiving 299,000 euros in fees from GDF Suez, undeclared to the European Parliament, according to a source close to the case. Financial prosecutor Jean-François Bohnert outlined these charges in a statement.
On Friday, December 19, on RTL, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon dismissed concerns: "Rachida Dati has always proclaimed her innocence and Rachida Dati is obviously presumed innocent (...). There is no issue." One of the minister's lawyers, Olivier Pardo, declined to comment.
Rachida Dati, the Republicans' candidate for Paris mayor, faces other proceedings. She is set to appear before the correctional tribunal in September 2026 for corruption and influence peddling alongside Carlos Ghosn. Another investigation concerns the possible non-declaration of luxury jewelry worth 420,000 euros.
These events occur as the minister continues her duties, backed by the government.
