A preliminary investigation for rape and sexual assault has been opened against former Béarnais deputy Jean Lassalle, the Bordeaux prosecutor’s office said on Friday, confirming information from BFMTV.
The investigation concerns “old” facts, dating from 2010, “and for the time being unconfirmed”, added the prosecution. She was handed over to the judicial police, who are continuing their investigations.
Hearings of witnesses as well as that of the respondent are planned “in the coming weeks”, according to the same source.
According to BFMTV, which cites the 45-year-old complainant, the facts allegedly took place in a hotel in Bordeaux during the 2010 regional election campaign, for which Jean Lassalle was head of the MoDem list in Aquitaine.
The 68-year-old former shepherd sat for two decades in the National Assembly, under the label of the UDF, then of the MoDem and finally of his Résistons! movement.
Mayor for 40 years of the village of Lourdios-Ichère (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), cantor of rurality, the elected twice unsuccessful candidate in the presidential election had not represented himself in the last legislative elections. He had justified his decision by “medical imperatives”.
Asked by AFP, the entourage of Mr. Lassalle indicated that the latter had “discovered this affair on BFMTV” and was “very surprised”.
“He was not at all aware and does not remember this person. He does not see who it is,” said the spokesperson for the former elected official and his political movement, Pierre Claret.
“We find it very disturbing to see this case come out today, when he is in the news by participating in a television program,” he said.
Jean Lassalle is a candidate for the second season of the investigation game Les Traitors, broadcast since July 12 on M6.
21/07/2023 11:47:15 – Bordeaux (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
