Trial ordered over alleged fraud behind false Le Point article
Lagarde and two others face trial over alleged fraud behind a false Le Point article about rival politicians.
Event / Politics
Lagarde Le Point Fraud Case
A French judicial process has been ordered against former UDI leader Jean-Christophe Lagarde, his former chauffeur Rudy S., and former police officer Noam Bouhadjela (known as Anouar) on charges of organised-gang fraud. The case concerns a false story published by Le Point in June 2022 after the second round of the legislative elections, which accused LFI candidate Raquel Garrido and deputy Alexis Corbière of exploiting an undocumented cleaner. Le Point removed the article the next day and acknowledged it was false. A judicial investigation was opened in September 2022, and in July 2026 the investigating judge concluded that an organised band had been constituted. Prosecutors requested a trial in April 2026. Lagarde is accused of seeking to destabilise his opponent and has said his former chauffeur orchestrated the scheme. Lagarde won the Drancy mayoralty in the March 2026 municipal elections.
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2026-10-22 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Oct, 09:53 UTC
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What happened
Aziz Zemouri left Le Point and apologised after the false article
Journalist Aziz Zemouri left Le Point following the affair and publicly apologised for the false article he wrote.
Prosecutors requested a trial in April 2026 for three defendants with complementary roles
In April 2026, prosecutors requested a trial for Jean-Christophe Lagarde, his former chauffeur and the former police officer, arguing that each played a distinct but complementary role in a joint fraudulent operation.
Rudy S. is charged with fraud, forgery, use of forgery and identity theft
Rudy S., the former chauffeur of Jean-Christophe Lagarde, faces charges of fraud, forgery, use of forgery and identity theft in connection with the fabricated story. The charges stem from identity documents and fabricated screenshots he is alleged to have produced.
Le Point removed the false article and publicly acknowledged it was false and misleading
The day after publication, Le Point removed the article from its website and publicly acknowledged through its publication director that the article was false and misleading.
Investigating judge found an organised band was constituted in the case in July 2026
In July 2026, the investigating judge issued an order concluding that an organised band had been constituted in the fabricated-story scheme targeting Raquel Garrido.
Trial ordered against Jean-Christophe Lagarde, his former chauffeur and a former police officer for organised-gang fraud
A trial was ordered against former UDI leader Jean-Christophe Lagarde, his former chauffeur Rudy S. and former police officer Noam Bouhadjela, known as Anouar, on charges of organised-gang fraud. The charges concern a false story about LFI candidate Raquel Garrido during the 2022 legislative elections.
Jean-Christophe Lagarde regained the Drancy mayoralty in the March 2026 municipal elections
Jean-Christophe Lagarde won the Drancy mayoralty in the first round of the March 2026 municipal elections.
Former police officer is accused of transmitting fraudulent documents to the journalist
Noam Bouhadjela, known as Anouar, a former police officer who became a press commentator, was a contact of journalist Aziz Zemouri and is accused of actively participating in transmitting documents of fraudulent origin.
Jean-Christophe Lagarde is accused of wanting to destabilise rival Raquel Garrido
Jean-Christophe Lagarde, then a candidate opposing Raquel Garrido in the 2022 legislative elections, is accused of wanting to destabilise her and of pressuring his former chauffeur to find compromising material about her during the campaign.
Lagarde gave his account to judges in November 2024, describing his former chauffeur as the orchestrator
In November 2024, Jean-Christophe Lagarde told judges that his former chauffeur, whom he described as a poor guy, had orchestrated the scheme by deceiving his employer.
Former chauffeur of Jean-Christophe Lagarde impersonated the undocumented cleaner in exchanges with a journalist
Rudy S., a former chauffeur of Jean-Christophe Lagarde, acknowledged after questioning that he had impersonated the undocumented cleaner in communications with journalist Aziz Zemouri. He has also acknowledged knowing that the claims in his fabricated materials were false.
Judicial investigation opened into the false report about Raquel Garrido and Alexis Corbière
A judicial investigation into the fabricated story was opened in September 2022 after Raquel Garrido and Alexis Corbière filed a complaint. Aziz Zemouri also filed a complaint in the matter.
Le Point published a false article accusing Raquel Garrido and Alexis Corbière of exploiting an undocumented cleaner
After the second round of the 2022 legislative elections, an article in the weekly Le Point by journalist Aziz Zemouri accused Raquel Garrido and her husband, deputy Alexis Corbière, of exploiting an undocumented cleaner. The article was false.
Former chauffeur is accused of fabricating WhatsApp exchanges and screenshots for the fictitious scenario
Rudy S., the former chauffeur of Jean-Christophe Lagarde, is accused of being the origin of the fictitious scenario by fabricating WhatsApp exchanges, screenshots and other materials used in the false report.
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