€3.2 million fraud at CTM: six defendants in Fort-de-France court
The main trial over the misappropriation of funds at the CTM opens on Monday 18 May in Fort-de-France. Six defendants face charges of fraud involving €3.2 million in benefits for disabled people.
Misappropriation at CTM: main trial opens in Fort-de-France
The Fort-de-France criminal court is examining on Monday 18 May the heart of the matter concerning the misappropriation of funds at the Martinique Territorial Collectivity (CTM), according to la1ere.franceinfo.fr. Six defendants, considered to be the main protagonists of the fraud, are appearing in a panel hearing to answer for a loss estimated at €3.2 million.
A system of false files between 2019 and 2024
The case centres on the establishment of a vast network of false disability compensation benefit (PCH) files, active between 2019 and 2024 within the CTM. At the heart of the scheme: a category C official of the collectivity, in her thirties at the time of the facts, and her partner. The two suspects are suspected of having orchestrated the fraud by creating fictitious administrative files, bolstered by fraudulent documentation.
Sixteen people from their circle or civil society are being prosecuted in this case. The court will have to distinguish the alleged "masterminds" of the system from the intermediaries suspected of money laundering, as well as front men who provided documents and supporting papers for the opening of these false files.
The case has profoundly shocked public opinion, particularly because of the nature of the misappropriated benefits, which were intended to support people with disabilities.
First convictions as early as March
A first group of defendants had already appeared on 30 March under a procedure for prior admission of guilt (CRPC). Four men had then admitted their participation in the creation of false files. The sentences handed down ranged from ten months' imprisonment served under electronic monitoring to two years' imprisonment, one year of which was unconditional. Fines of up to €10,000 were also imposed, as well as three years' ineligibility for some defendants. Confiscations had moreover been ordered, including a vehicle and more than €100,000 found in a bank account.
Other people involved in the case had previously been subject to alternative measures, notably criminal settlements in February last year.
An investigation born from a complaint of domestic violence
The investigation began unexpectedly, following a complaint of domestic violence lodged by the principal suspect against her partner. During investigations carried out at the couple's home, investigators discovered substantial sums of money as well as a standard of living deemed incompatible with their declared income, which led to the opening of a thorough financial investigation.
In December 2024, raids conducted by the SRPJ in the office of the CTM official finally made it possible to uncover the full extent of the fraudulent scheme.
Source: Google News MQ — Crime