The affair of the sextape blackmail at the town hall of Saint-Étienne is far from over. While Gaël Perdriau, the mayor of the city, was indicted for his involvement in the harassment of his ex-first deputy Gilles Artigues, the investigating judges in charge of the case offered him a way out. According to Mediapart, to avoid prison, Gaël Perdriau will have to pay a "deposit" of 60,000 euros. This sum is to be split in two: 10,000 euros to "guarantee the representation of the mayor in future acts of the procedure", and 50,000 euros for damages for the victims.
As a reminder, in this case, there are two victims: Gilles Artigues, the former deputy and political rival of Gaël Perdriau, and the escort with whom he was filmed without his knowledge, in a private setting (a hotel), early 2015.
Gaël Perdriau is obliged to pay these 60,000 euros as part of his judicial review. However, the investigating judges have staggered this payment, which can be done in two instalments. Thus, as Mediapart points out, the mayor of Saint-Étienne will first have to pay 20,000 euros immediately (this Tuesday, June 6), then 40,000 euros before December 30.
