Two Emmaüs executives are in turmoil. The unexplained disappearance between 2017 and 2023 of 57,000 euros from the association’s coffers in Tarn-et-Garonne was at the center, Tuesday evening in Montauban, of the trial for embezzlement of two managers of the charitable association and their wives.
During the hearing, the director and deputy director of Emmaüs in Tarn-et-Garonne, who deny being at the origin of this disappearance of funds, had to justify the deposit of much larger sums of cash – exceeding 140,000 euros in total – in accounts belonging to them.
“I’m sure I didn’t take anything from Emmaus”
In court, the director, aged 54, stressed that the 83,000 euros deposited in cash between 2018 and 2022 came from donations from the family of his wife, aged 49, or from money donated voluntarily by dozens of people staying in the couple’s house from 2002. “I’m sure I didn’t take anything from Emmaüs. Neither me nor my colleague,” he assured.
Questioned by the president, he however recognized moments of “great chaos in the accounting” of the association, before claiming to have become aware of the disappearance of funds but not to have wished to make a report, in particular to avoid causing harm. like the association. “You have an extremely selective memory,” said deputy prosecutor Lisa Bergereau, denouncing “false statements” made by the defendant before the gendarmes.
Investigators reject possible “accounting error”
The two leaders are being prosecuted in particular for “breach of trust to the detriment of an association calling on the public to raise funds for humanitarian or social assistance”. Their wives are also being prosecuted, in particular for “aggravated money laundering”, because the cash was deposited in joint accounts or life insurance.
In 2019, after an accountant reported a “hole” of 57,000 euros in the accounts, the president of Emmaüs Tarn-et-Garonne filed a complaint. Investigators later ruled out a possible “accounting error”.
Six to twelve months of suspended prison time have been requested against two Emmaüs officials and their wives. The court’s decision has been reserved and will be communicated on January 16.