Cheers at a dinner at the Élysée Palace Photo: GEORGES GOBET / AFP / Profimedia
The employee in charge of the silverware of the presidential palace in France and two other people are to be tried for the theft of porcelain and other types of tableware, informs Reuters.
The Élysée Palace reported the disappearance of pieces of silverware or crockery for state dinners and other official events, with the value of the missing goods estimated at between 15,000 and 40,000 euros.
Paris prosecutors said the person in charge of the palace's silverware, Thomas M., as well as his partner Damien G., were arrested on Tuesday. Another man, Ghislan M., was detained on charges of receiving stolen property. For now, the French presidency has not responded to a request for a comment on this issue.
Questioning by members of the presidential staff led suspicion to turn to Thomas M. who was taking inventory of missing parts before they disappeared, as if anticipating future thefts.
Prosecutors found around 100 items in the employee's locker room, home and car, including copper pots, Sevres china and Baccarat champagne glasses. Investigators discovered a plate and ashtrays with the Air Force logo listed for sale on his Vinted account.
The Sevres porcelain factory, one of the main suppliers of the Élysée Palace, has identified some pieces sent to the French presidency on auction sites, and some of these pieces have been recovered.
The publication Le Parisien writes that the third man involved, Ghislain M., works as a guard at the Louvre Museum, with his lawyer saying his involvement was caused by his “passion” for antiquities. With his indictment, the museum management prohibited him from returning to work until the case was resolved. The trial is scheduled for February.
The scandal comes just months after a group of thieves disguised as construction workers stole pieces of France's imperial crown jewels, sparking debate over security standards for the heritage.
