Overview
- Judges showed the montage video in camera at the Lyon courthouse as eight defendants, including Mayor Gaël Perdriau, took their seats for a week-long trial.
- Former adjoint Samy Kéfi-Jérôme told the court the setup was requested by then–chief of staff Pierre Gauttieri in exchange for political backing, saying he deduced the mayor’s approval but had no proof.
- Investigators say about €40,000 in municipal grants were routed through two associations that then paid actors in the operation, with two couples now tried for abuse of trust.
- Perdriau, excluded from Les Républicains, denies commissioning or using the video, remains in office, and faces up to ten years in prison plus possible ineligibility if convicted.
- Civil parties include Gilles Artigues, former mayor Michel Thiollière, the escort-boy, the city of Saint-Étienne, and Anticor, with Rossary-Lenglet heard Monday and Gauttieri and Perdriau due to testify Tuesday.