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Valenciennes Mayor Laurent Degallaix Barred From Office for Five Years After Conflict‑of‑Interest, Witness‑Tampering Conviction

Immediate enforcement of the ruling ousts the newly re‑elected mayor despite his appeal.

Overview

  • Degallaix, convicted Thursday by the Lille court, must leave the Valenciennes mayor’s office and the Valenciennes Métropole leadership at once under an immediate five‑year ban.
  • Judges added a two‑year suspended prison term and a €20,000 fine.
  • The court found he pushed a parking contractor to hire a woman he was in a relationship with, tried to get her to drop a complaint, and used his status to speed the firing of another woman tied to opponents.
  • He filed an appeal, but the ban stays in force because the court ordered provisional enforcement that takes effect even during appeals.
  • Three co‑defendants received lighter suspended sentences, including 18 months and a €10,000 fine for a parking company figure, and four years without the right to run for office.