The essentials
A Laon prosecutor is investigating whether deputy José Beaurain embezzled public funds, and he denies the allegations.
A Laon prosecutor has opened an investigation into deputy José Beaurain of Aisne for embezzlement of public funds. The inquiry followed a report filed against him in August 2026.
Le Canard enchaîné publicly revealed the allegations in late August. Beaurain is suspected of asking assistants to return half of their bonuses in cash, of making personal purchases with his parliamentary allowance, and of employing his brother through a straw man.
The reporting also notes that Beaurain receives a higher parliamentary staff allowance as the first blind deputy of the Fifth Republic. The available information does not establish whether this allowance is connected to the suspected conduct.
The President of the National Assembly has requested additional checks by the chamber's ethics officer.
Beaurain denies the allegations and has filed a defamation complaint against Le Canard enchaîné. The suspicions have not been tested in court, and no findings have been reported.
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Prosecutor's inquiry advances from an August 2026 report
Viewed through the judicial process, the case began with a report filed in August 2026 and led to an investigation opened by the Laon prosecutor. The inquiry will examine whether the suspected embezzlement of public funds can be substantiated. Separately, checks requested by the Assembly's president through its ethics officer are underway, and no findings from either track have been reported yet.
Beaurain rejects allegations and challenges Le Canard's reporting
From Beaurain's perspective, the allegations are denied, and he has responded by filing a defamation complaint against Le Canard enchaîné, the outlet that first publicly revealed them in late August. His position stresses that the suspicions remain unproven and that the courts are the appropriate forum for contesting the published claims.