The trial of the president (DVD) of the European Metropolis of Lille (Mel), Damien Castelain, in particular for concealment of breach of trust on the sidelines of the construction of the Grand Stade, was postponed to Monday February 12, 2024 in the absence clerk, on strike.

“You miss only one clerk and everything is returned”, “for statutes and remuneration commensurate with our functions” or even “clerk = great forgotten by justice”, could we read on the signs held by the forty clerks in robes present in the courtroom where the trial was to be held.

In front of the court, they expressed “their dismay” and their “anger” denouncing “a lack of remuneration and consideration”. President, prosecutor and lawyers gave them their support.

The clerks called for a national strike on Monday to protest against a proposed salary increase and to denounce the “contempt” which they say their profession has been the subject of for years.

The mobilization began two weeks ago spontaneously, outside the unions, caused by a project for a new index grid which will disadvantage the clerks, they believe.

Damien Castelain is suspected, when he was vice-president of Mel, at the turn of the 2010s, of having benefited, on the sidelines of the construction by Eiffage of the Grand Stade de Lille, from more than 17,000 euros in blue stones ( quality exterior cladding) delivered via the manufacturer, for a personal terrace.

Mr. Castelain was also to be tried from Monday for another case, launched by Médiacités in June 2018: expense reports of more than 20,000 euros, which would have been used, according to the news site, to buy perfumes or nights in a luxury hotel on weekends.

The prosecution had opened a preliminary investigation for embezzlement of public funds and concealment following a complaint against X by anti-corruption activist Eric Darques and a report from the Anticor association.

The French Anti-Corruption Agency (AFA) had also made a report, then noted, in a report unveiled by Médiacités, “irregularities”.

Mr. Castelain, at the head since 2014 of Mel – a metropolis made up of 95 municipalities, with nearly 1.2 million inhabitants – was also to be judged at the same time on the conditions of employment of his press adviser.

The trial is scheduled to take place from February 12 to 15, 2024.

03/07/2023 11:18:04 –         Lille (AFP)           © 2023 AFP