It is a story whose end is difficult to see and which still concerns Pierre Maudet. According to the “ RTS ”, the State Councilor – still warned of acceptance of an advantage – would have affirmed on September 6, 2019 in front of the prosecutors in charge of the investigation that François Longchamp – former liberal-radical colleague and ex-president of the Council of State of Geneva, had also received money from the Manotel hotel group to finance its 2013 campaign. And this, without his party, the PLR, being aware of it. Amount of support: 25,000 francs, ensures the “RTS” which claims to have had access to the report of its statements.
This sum would have been paid “on August 13, 2013 on the account of the slush fund of the radicals, the Cercle Fazy-Favon”. The two liberal-radicals, Pierre Maudet and François Longchamp, were then candidates for their own re-election to the Cantonal Executive. Also according to the “RTS”, the two men would have discussed how the manna could be received, the boss of Manotel not wishing to go through the PLR. “They ultimately favor the Cercle Fazy-Favon, over which four people have a say: the two aforementioned, but also former national councilor Hughes Hiltpold and current deputy Patrick Malek-Asghar,” said the journalist. Which relates the sending of a word of thanks from Pierre Maudet to the president of the Manotel group, indicating “having discussed with his colleague” (editor’s note: François Longchamp) “By joining the bank account details”.
This financial support would not have been used entirely to support the electoral campaign of the two city officials. Part of the sum would have been used for the purpose of updating their website, or even to offer an aperitif “at the end of the campaign” at the end of 2013.
The former president of the Council of State denies having received this money
Contacted by the “RTS”, François Longchamp “categorically refutes having touched directly or indirectly money or services in kind from Manotel, whether in 2013 or in any other electoral campaign”. As for Pierre Maudet, his lawyer Grégoire Mangeat did not wish to answer the questions of the “RTS”. The prosecution, too, refrained from issuing a single syllable.
Created: 14.01.2020, 20h19
–
