Social worker from Liège police charged with identity fraud
A social worker from the federal police in Liège impersonated a police officer to harm the ex-partner of her cousin in a child custody dispute.
False emails, cocaine and identity fraud: a social worker before Liège court
The Liège prosecutor's office has requested prison sentences of three and six months against Cécile, a social worker with the federal police in Liège, according to DHnet. She must answer charges of forgery, use of forged documents, unlawful assumption of police function and possession of narcotics, offences committed between 2023 and 2025.
The facts emerged during proceedings before the Liège court of appeal. Cécile took advantage of her proximity to the police environment to send emails in which she presented herself as a police officer mandated by the prosecutor's office to conduct a family inquiry — which was false.
Her cousin, in conflict with his ex-partner over custody of a child, wished to gather evidence against her. Cécile then contacted the woman's employer as well as the child's school, asking questions about the mother's habits and schedule. These emails were subsequently produced as exhibits before the Liège court of appeal in the custody proceedings.
The matter was reported to the King's Prosecutor. The injured party also filed a complaint with Committee P, the police services oversight body.
During the investigation, it emerged that the social worker maintained relations with an individual convicted for unlawful residence and trafficking in narcotics, to whom she allegedly advised corrupting a police officer in Morocco. During a search of her home, she herself admitted to the presence of cocaine residue that she had consumed, found above her refrigerator. A drug detection dog sent to the scene confirmed the discovery.
It also emerged that she had made enquiries about buying and reselling untraceable mobile phones at prison gates, although these facts do not constitute an offence and she is not being prosecuted for them.
Despite the gravity of the charges against her, Cécile was not suspended from her post.
Before the court, she attempted to explain her actions: "I did not think the email would end up before a court. I wanted to know if she was telling the truth. I love my job so much that I do not want to lose it. It was simply to help the little one."
Her lawyer, Me Maxime Toller, pleaded for acquittal or, in the alternative, a work order or autonomous probation sentence. He argued that an email did not constitute a protected document within the meaning of the law and could therefore not technically be classified as forgery. He furthermore contended that the offence of unlawful assumption of public function required a publicity criterion that was not met in this case. Regarding the cocaine, he argued that no evidence formally proved that his client had possessed it.
Source: DHnet