Defeated Mayor Accuses Rival of Alpaca and Flowerpot Fraud
La Remaudière, France – Outgoing Mayor Anne Choblet has filed a formal complaint with the gendarmerie in Le Loroux-Bottereau against her successor, Hervé Crémet, alleging theft and abuse of trust, following a closely contested municipal election on March 15th. The complaint centers on accusations that Crémet, who defeated Choblet by a margin of five votes, sold suri alpacas without informing the municipality and failed to declare the resulting revenue.
The allegations surfaced shortly after the election results were announced, with Choblet initially hinting at concerns during her concession speech. According to sources, the complaint specifically details the sale of the “rare breed” alpacas and questions the handling of the financial gains from these transactions. Crémet, who served as Choblet’s deputy for eleven years and also as a member of the Sèvre et Loire community council, has vehemently denied the accusations.
The dispute marks a sharp turn in La Remaudière’s local politics. Hervé Crémet resigned from the municipal council in March 2025, citing disagreements with Choblet’s “governance,” a sentiment echoed by three other council members, including Fanny Morin, who is now part of his “Ensemble pour une commune qui nous ressemble” list. Choblet, who took office in September 2014 following the death of Dany Laurent, had been seeking a third consecutive term as mayor.
The small commune of 1,300 residents, located in the Nantes vineyard region, has a history of tight elections. The current situation has escalated tensions within the community, with the outcome of the investigation potentially impacting Crémet’s ability to assume office. Choblet’s legal action follows an initial “main courante” filing, which was subsequently upgraded to a formal complaint before the electoral deadline.
As of today, Crémet has not issued a detailed public response to the specific allegations beyond a general denial. The gendarmerie has confirmed receipt of the complaint and stated that an investigation is underway. No further details regarding the investigation have been released.