Marine Le Pen distances herself from David Rachline, after the opening of an investigation into the RN town hall of Fréjus

2023-12-11 06:30:09
The president of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, with the mayor of Fréjus, David Rachline, during the launch of the campaign for the legislative elections, in Fréjus, April 28, 2022. VALERY HACHE / AFP

The public prosecutor of Perpignan, Pierre Coutenier, announced on Sunday December 10 the opening of an investigation into the town hall of Fréjus (Var), ” in the prolongation “ of the numerous revelations of the journalist of The Obs Camille Vigogne Le Coat in her book, Raptors (Les Arènes, 224 pages, 20 euros). According to The Obs, who revealed the information, the investigation would focus on suspicion “public contract awards” irregular, “illegal taking of interest” and of “favoritism”.

Also read the review: Article reserved for our subscribers “Les Raptors”: in Fréjus, the RN and the legacy of a crooked system of agreement

The book, published on November 2, denounces a series of irregularities within the town hall headed by David Rachline. The young elected National Rally (RN) was brought to the head of Fréjus in 2014 on the promise of putting an end to the businessism that the city is experiencing. In contrast to this commitment, the author details in particular a system of agreement leading, according to her, to corruption, involving the elected official and an influential local businessman, beneficiary of several public contracts, who shares lunches and sea ​​trips with Mr. Rachline.

The work also evokes the opulent lifestyle of the far-right city councilor, well beyond his compensation as an elected official in a city of 56,000 inhabitants. Citing in particular audio recordings, the work reveals the expensive use of cash by Mr. Rachline who purchased a watch for 15,000 euros. The book also evokes the drunken evenings organized by the 36-year-old mayor, during which, against a backdrop of alcohol, racist and anti-Semitic remarks were heard.

The “deep serenity” of Mr. Rachline

Mr. Rachline, who had his municipal council vote to finance his defense from the town hall budget, completely denies the accusations. In a press release reproduced in the work, he denounced the “fantasies and false accusations”assuring: “ I have never received an envelope from anyone. I earn my living honestly and moreover, all my income is public since it comes exclusively from my elective mandates. »

Asked on Sunday, Mr. Rachline assures of his “deep serenity” upon the announcement of the opening of an investigation “ following the publication of the defamatory book published by a far-left activist journalist “. For him, the judicial investigation will allow ” restore the truth “ on municipal management in order to put an end to “this abject cabal”. He finally announces that the city intends to file a complaint against Ms. Vigogne Le Coat. Also requested, his counsel, Me Alexis Varaut, who was already to file a complaint on behalf of Mr. Rachline, did not respond.

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