CTM embezzlement: six-year sentence sought against Clarisse Romany and Fabrice Duragrin
The prosecution has sought sentences of up to six years in prison against the two main defendants in the embezzlement of 3.2 million euros at the CTM. The defence pleads ignorance for the relatives involved.
CTM trial: sentences of two to six years sought for embezzlement of disability benefit funds
The correctional court in Fort-de-France reopened Thursday morning (5 June) the trial concerning the embezzlement of disability compensation benefit funds from the Martinique Territorial Collectivity (CTM), according to rci.fm. The resumption, after an adjournment on 18 May, took place in a tense atmosphere, with law enforcement having to control entry due to an influx of public attendance. The hearing could not resume until around 10:20 am.
Five of the six defendants are being tried for embezzlement of public funds, receiving stolen goods, breach of trust, forgery and use of forgery. The case concerns more than 3.2 million euros withdrawn from funds allocated to people with disabilities.
Severe sentences sought against alleged "masterminds"
The prosecution considers Clarisse Romany and Fabrice Duragrin to be the main instigators of the fraudulent scheme. For these two defendants, the prosecution sought six years' imprisonment with remand in custody, a criminal fine of 50,000 euros, confiscation of all their property and seized bank accounts, ineligibility to stand for office for five years, permanent disqualification from holding public office, and suspension of civil rights for five years, except for voting rights.
For the defendant referred to as Taima, the prosecution sought three years' imprisonment — of which two years with probationary suspension and one year under house arrest with electronic monitoring — a fine of 10,000 euros, confiscation of seized property and accounts, ineligibility to stand for office for five years, permanent disqualification from holding public office, and suspension of civil rights for five years, except for voting rights.
Hida and Ludovic Romany, mother and brother of the main defendant, are the subject of prosecutions seeking two years' imprisonment each — of which one year with probationary suspension under house arrest with electronic bracelet — accompanied by a criminal fine of 30,000 euros, confiscation of property and accounts, ineligibility to stand for office for five years, permanent disqualification from holding public office, and suspension of civil rights for five years, except for voting rights.
Defence shifts responsibility to main defendant
After the prosecution's submissions, the floor was given to defence counsel. The counsel for Hida and Ludovic Romany chose to concentrate responsibility on Clarisse Romany, presented as the sole decision-maker.
According to the version defended by the lawyer, the defendant allegedly presented herself in tears at her brother's home with a sum of 19,000 euros, without telling him where it came from. Clarisse Romany allegedly asked him to conceal this money. The defence also recalled that Clarisse Romany herself had admitted to manipulating her relatives by inventing a story to avoid their questions.
The mother's lawyer further emphasised that during custody, Hida Romany was looking for her own bank card, which her daughter had in her possession. He also argued that the mother, who according to him was incapable of sending a simple photograph, would not have been able to transmit a bank details form to participate in the fraudulent scheme. The defence counsel concluded that the couple had no knowledge of financial flows or the source of the funds.
Source: Google News MQ — Crime