Rape charges against Gérald Darmanin: dismissal, says justice – The HuffPost

Thierry Monasse / Getty Images After months of legal proceedings, Gérald Darmanin obtained a dismissal of the charges of rape brought against him by Sophie Patterson-Spatz (photo from March 28, in Brussels). JUSTICE – A legal victory for the Minister of the Interior. This Monday, July 11, it was revealed that Gérald Darmanin had obtained a dismissal of the rape charges against him, but for which he was never indicted. It was BFMTV who gave the information first, which was then confirmed by the minister’s lawyers, Mathias Chichportich and Pierre-Olivier Sur, as well as a judicial source from Agence France presse. “For the fourth time in five years, justice affirms that no wrongdoing can be blamed on Mr. Gérald Darmanin”, write Mathias Chichportich and Pierre-Olivier Sur, as reported by BFMTV.#Darmanin: Press release from the minister’s lawyers:
“For the fourth time in five years, the justice system affirms that no reprehensible act can be blamed on Mr. Gérald Darmanin.
…— Vincent Vantighem (@vvantighem) July 11, 2022 Since 2017, the tenant of Place Beauvau has been the subject of a complaint for rape, sexual harassment and breach of trust filed by Sophie Patterson-Spatz for facts dating back to 2009 After long procedural discussions and judicial investigations, last January, the prosecution had requested a dismissal in favor of the minister. The order, which was issued on July 8, completely exonerates Gérald Darmanin. charges were made public. Sophie Patterson-Spatz explained that she had contacted the elected official, who then held a position within the UMP, to try to have a court conviction concerning her reviewed (a case of blackmail and malicious calls against a former companion). According to his version, it was then that Gérald Darmanin would have dangled him support from the Ministry of Justice in exchange for sexual favors. Faced with investigators, in early 2018, the minister then confirmed the sexual relationship, but excluded any consideration. Before the investigators, he clarified that the relationship had taken place “on the initiative” of Sophie Patterson-Spatz and that it was consented. Subsequently, he had been confronted at length with the complainant, in March 2021, without this encouraging the investigators to move towards an indictment. In December 2020, he had only been placed under the status of assisted witness. See also on the HuffPost: Abad, Darmanin… Feminist anger against the “government of shame”