“The management of the Hôtel du Palais is informed of the worrying incident which took place on the premises of the hotel and of images which have circulated”, a manager of the hotel giant which operates this establishment told AFP.
“This incident does not reflect the values we defend, an investigation was carried out and the appropriate decisions were made. The safety, health and well-being of our colleagues, our customers and our partners are our absolute priorities “she added without making further comments.
An open investigation
The Bayonne public prosecutor’s office, which has not received any complaints at this stage, has opened a preliminary investigation on its own initiative into charges of sexual assault and violence, prosecutor Jérôme Bourrier told AFP.
According to the regional daily, the departure of Aurélien Largeau, 31, took place on December 21. This chef recruited in 2020 to run the gourmet restaurant of the five-star hotel had a Michelin star since last year.
Images recorded and shared on networks
According to Sud Ouest, the events took place on the morning of December 2 in the kitchen.
For several hours, a young clerk was allegedly tied naked to a chair, with an apple in his mouth and a carrot in his buttocks, in front of members of the brigade, in the presence of Aurélien Largeau. Images were recorded and shared on social media, since removed.
Contacted, the City of Biarritz, the main shareholder of the mixed economy company which owns the walls of the palace, whose personnel management is delegated to the Hyatt group, did not wish to comment on the matter.
“We learned the information from the press”assures for his part one of the administrators of Socomix, Patrick Destizon, opposition municipal councilor in Biarritz.
“During the board meeting held on December 21, during which the management (of the hotel, editor’s note) presented its quarterly management report, this episode was not mentioned”he emphasizes.
