An investigating judge has ordered a trial before the Paris Criminal Court on August 7, 2024, for celebrity journalist Mimi Marchand, suspected of trying to extort money from TV host Karine Le Marchand, AFP learned on Wednesday, August 28, from a source close to the case, confirming information from Mediapart.
According to this source, Michèle Marchand, 77, who disputes the facts, will be tried for extortion for having put pressure on the host of “L’Amour est dans le pré” (M6), a civil party in this case, who paid her 1,600 euros so that she would not publish a stolen photo of her daughter.
Little arrangements between enemies
As a reminder, Karine Le Marchand filed a complaint in mid-February 2020 with the police, indicating that a “source” she knew had narrowly avoided the publication of photos of her daughter leaving police custody in exchange for the payment of 3,000 euros.
At the time, the host did not mention the name of her source, Michèle Marchand. But the two women met a few days later at a lunch where the woman who also hosted “Une ambition intime” and “Les Maternelles” handed over 1,600 euros to begin reimbursing this “service”.
A contested version
According to the source close to the case, Mimi Marchand is suspected of having put pressure on Karine Le Marchand, who did not make herself available and did not pay her the full amount mentioned (3,000 euros, therefore) during their first exchange, telling her “It will be too late… it’s annoying for the little one”.
Our “Karine Le Marchand” file
During questioning, Mimi Marchand denied any form of pressure and indicated that it was Karine Le Marchand who had “insisted” that she take the money. The photos had been taken by Sébastien Valiela, a “star” paparazzo, who will be tried in particular for active corruption.