The Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal was more severe than the Marseille Criminal Court. According to information from Provence, the mayor (DvD) of Sanary, in the Var, was sentenced to three years in prison, including one year, a fine of 50,000 euros and ineligibility of 5 years, with provisional execution .
Illegal taking of interest
Ferdinand Bernhard was convicted of illegal taking of interest, embezzlement of public funds and favoritism, in a series of economic and financial offenses. The city councilor, at the head of this Var seaside resort since 1989, is criticized for the flash promotion of his mistress as director general of services, at more than 5,000 euros per month, the use of privileges to build four villas on land he has purchased, the improper use of a company car or the award of highly paid contracts, outside the procedure, to relatives.
At first instance, the Marseille Criminal Court sentenced Ferdinand Bernhard to three years in prison, including 30 months suspended and six months closed under an electronic bracelet for illegal taking of interest. The mayor was also sentenced to five years of deprivation of civic and civil rights, but without provisional execution.