A young woman accuses Jacques Bouthier, founder of a French insurance company and one of the richest French people, of serious crimes: the 75-year-old is said to have held her captive for years as a minor and raped her. The man is now in custody. Also against his environment is determined.
The head of a French insurance company has been arrested on suspicion of raping minors and human trafficking. An investigation had been opened against Jacques Bouthier, the judiciary announced. Five other suspects from the environment of the 75-year-old are also being investigated. The Vilavi company announced that Bouthier had resigned.
A 22-year-old started the case when she reported to the police in March, according to investigators. She said she was "held captive" for five years by a super-rich man who raped her. The man then called her "too old" and forced her to find a younger girl to take her place. A 14-year-old then took her place.
The 22-year-old filmed the two in bed and gave the video to the police. The accused is said to have previously tried to kidnap the young woman with his wife and four other people in order to secure the compromising video, the French broadcaster RTL reported. According to RTL, Bouthier is being charged with "human trafficking in minors", "rape of minors", "utilizing prostitution of a minor", "possession of child pornographic images" and "participation in a criminal organization with the aim of kidnapping or deprivation of liberty in organized form of committing".
According to information from France Info, Jacques Bouthier denied the crimes in police custody and spoke of a "trap" to blackmail him. Bouthier founded the company in 1975 and has managed it ever since. It was initially called Assu2000 and was renamed Vilavi in January. According to the company, the turnover is 163 million euros, it has about 1800 employees and almost 550,000 customers. According to the Liberation newspaper, Bouthier is one of the 500 richest French people.
