The former director of the Juvignac (Hérault) tourist office, Arnaud Julien, now departmental secretary of the Republicans, was sentenced to six months in prison. In addition to this sentence, there is a five-year ban on running a business and a fine of 15,000 euros. He was prosecuted before the Montpellier court for breach of trust and fraud.
The legal procedure was triggered after the publication of a report from the regional chamber of accounts, in July 2016. This had pointed out “actions inconsistent with its corporate purpose”, “a certain opacity”, the non-compliance -compliance with certain legal obligations. Or even “failing institutional functioning”. “The material resources (company vehicle, telephone and travel costs, reception costs) and human resources (two full-time positions including a director position) seem out of proportion to the real activity of the association. »
“A more than modest assessment”
The regional chamber of accounts had noted “the reduced tourist interest of the municipality as evidenced by the very rare attendance statistics”. And a disproportion of the means implemented since “the financing of the association was based mainly on a subsidy from the municipality which, cumulatively over the period, reached 825,000 euros”. All for a “more than modest tourism record”. The civil parties denounced cronyism and subsidies diverted from the former director in order to finance his electoral campaign. Arnaud Julien ran in 2014 for the election of this municipality with galloping demographics on the outskirts of Montpellier. Without success.
Two other defendants, Patrick Nicodeme, the former general director of services and Jean Ousset, former city finance deputy, are also found guilty of embezzlement of public funds. Arnaud Julien’s lawyer announced his intention to appeal.