The legal setbacks follow one another for the Balkany spouses who hope to obtain lighter sentences. The review of the sentences imposed on Patrick and Isabelle Balkany for aggravated laundering of tax evasion began on Tuesday before the Paris Court of Appeal, in the presence of the former mayor of Levallois-Perret (Hauts-de-Seine).
Salt and pepper hair, emaciated in a blue suit, Patrick Balkany, 74, listened to the usual reminder of the offenses with which he is accused, standing with both hands on the bar. His wife Isabelle Balkany, 75, was absent and represented, as permitted by law, by her lawyer. The President then began the summary of the facts.
13 million concealed
In this case, Patrick and Isabelle Balkany were sentenced on May 27, 2020 on appeal to respectively five and four years’ imprisonment, ten years of ineligibility and a fine of 100,000 euros each. The couple was found guilty of concealing between 2007 and 2014 some 13 million euros in tax assets, including two sumptuous villas in the Caribbean and Morocco, hidden by a string of offshore companies and nominees.
Patrick Balkany was also sentenced for illegal taking of interests, the court having found that he had received “personal benefits” in kind as part of a large real estate contract for the city of Levallois-Perret. The former elected officials lodged an appeal in cassation and, on June 30, 2021, the highest court of the judiciary rejected their appeal concerning their guilt, thus made final.
Six-month incarceration
On the other hand, the Court of Cassation censored the decision for procedural questions and ordered a new trial, only on the amount of the penalties and damages. This is the second part of the Balkany affair, distinct from that which earned the former mayor to be reincarcerated for six months, between February and August, for not having respected the constraints of his electronic bracelet.
In this other part, that of tax evasion, their three-year prison sentences pronounced on appeal on March 4, 2020 are final, the Balkanys having not lodged an appeal in cassation.