The “popess of the paparazzi” worried by the courts. On April 19, the Paris prosecutor’s office requested a criminal trial for Michèle Marchand, suspected of having extorted money from TV host Karine Le Marchand in 2020, AFP learned on Tuesday from a source close to the case.
According to this source, Michèle Marchand, who disputes the facts, is accused of having put pressure on the host of “L’amour est dans le pré” (M6) to pay him a few thousand euros in exchange for the non-publication of a photograph of his daughter.
“Pressing or even threatening”
According to elements of the requisitions of which the AFP was aware, “Mimi” Marchand would at one point “become more pressing or even threatening by insinuation by indicating to him in particular, while Karine Lemarchand did not make herself available and did not have him paid the entire amount mentioned (3,000 euros) during their first exchange: +It will be too late… it’s annoying for the little one+”.
The photos were taken by one of the paparazzi stars, Sébastien Valiela, for whom the prosecution is requesting a trial for corruption and concealment of violation of professional secrecy.
The prosecution is also requesting a trial for police officer Marc M., 45, suspected of having provided information to Sébastien Valiela. He could be tried for violation of professional secrecy. A police officer who died in 2022 was also implicated.
The Griveaux affair
This judicial investigation also related to another case: Marc M. and another police officer, David O., 55 years old, are suspected of having informed Sébastien Valiela about the precise moment when the couple Piotr Pavlenski and Alexandra de Taddeo.
This arrest came two days after the broadcast, claimed by Mr. Pavlenski, of videos of a sexual nature by Benjamin Griveaux, then LREM candidate for mayor of Paris, precipitating his withdrawal from the municipal battle on February 14, 2020.
Photos and a video showing Piotr Pavlenski lying face down on the ground with his hands restrained by handcuffs were broadcast the following week by Paris Match.
Marc M. could also be judged for forgery of public documents for these facts – the prosecution did not request that an aggravating circumstance be taken into account which could have led this case to the departmental criminal court -, while David O. risks a hearing for violation of professional secrecy and complicity.
Asked by AFP, Me Caroline Toby indicated that she had made observations for the purposes of dismissing the case for her client “Mimi” Marchand.