French Lawmakers Order Proof in Dati–Complément d’Enquête Dispute by Feb. 23

Overview

• Culture Minister Rachida Dati repeated on RTL that a close associate was offered money for testimony, yet she did not say whether she will submit the requested evidence.
• A Feb. 16 letter from the National Assembly inquiry sets a Feb. 23 deadline for Dati to provide documents supporting her allegation of attempted monetization of information.
• France 2’s Complément d’enquête rejects the accusation; presenter Tristan Waleckx denied under oath that any money was given or offered to Dati’s entourage.
• Reporter Louis Milano-Dupont says he received an email from a Dati associate stating the program never offered money, and the show has committed to supplying that email to the commission by the deadline.
• Commission head Jérémie Patrier-Leitus has warned he will refer suspected false testimony to prosecutors, an offense carrying up to five years in prison and a €75,000 fine.