Trial of lawyer Véronique Fontana: prosecution seeks eight months suspended sentence
Prosecutor General Eric Kaltenrieder has sought eight months in prison with a suspended sentence and a fine of 5,000 francs against Vaud-based lawyer Véronique Fontana, who is being tried for attempted extortion, fraud and forgery of documents.
Trial of lawyer Véronique Fontana: prosecution seeks eight months suspended sentence
The Lausanne Correctional Court is examining the case of Vaud-based lawyer Véronique Fontana. She is being prosecuted for attempted extortion, fraud and forgery of documents. At the second hearing, Prosecutor General Eric Kaltenrieder requested a sentence of eight months' imprisonment suspended, as well as a fine of 5,000 francs payable immediately. Source: Le Temps
The representative of the Public Prosecutor's Office strongly criticised the defendant's methods. He denounced a lucrative mechanism set up at the expense of litigants and public finances. According to his statements, Ms Fontana's practices seriously damage the image of lawyers and must be stopped.
The accusers describe her as a master of manipulation. Her law firm promises loyalty and trust, yet its internal operation would deviate from these values. Through a well-honed commercial strategy, she attracts clients, keeps them dependent, delegates case management, pursues reckless litigation and inflates her fees or abuses the legal aid scheme.
Maître Pierre-Xavier Luciani, lawyer for the civil party, strengthened these accusations by describing her as an expert in overbilling. The prosecution recalls that three disciplinary sanctions have already been imposed on her for excessive fees, which the prosecutor general regards as a revealing track record.
For his part, Maître Jacques Michod, counsel for the defence, called for acquittal. He argued that a conviction would put a definitive end to his client's practice at the bar. He stressed that this profession constitutes the very essence of her existence.
Source: Le Temps