Recent developments have brought the mayor of Saint-Etienne, Gaël Perdriau , into the spotlight, with a judicial order for a trial to be held in connection with a scandal involving blackmail associated with an intimate video of a former deputy. This trial is set to take place in late September in Lyon, as announced by Thierry Dran , the public prosecutor of Lyon.
Perdriau faces serious charges including “blackmail, misappropriation, misuse of public funds by a public authority holder, and participation in an association of wrongdoers.” Convictions for such crimes can lead to sentences of at least five years in prison, according to Dran. The trial is slated for September 22-26, pending any potential appeals.
The foundation of this case revolves around a video featuring Gilles Artigues , a former centrist deputy and political rival of Perdriau, being massaged by an escort in a hotel room in Paris in January 2015. Authorities suspect that Perdriau demanded “political loyalty” and “electoral arbitration” from Artigues in exchange for not disclosing this compromising video, as highlighted by legal documents obtained by AFP.
Gaël Perdriau judged alongside three former aides
Since being excluded from the Les Républicains party and criticized by opposition leaders, Perdriau has consistently claimed his innocence while refusing to resign from office. Still, he has taken a step back from his responsibilities in the metropolitan area but has not ruled out running for the 2026 municipal elections . On Friday, when contacted by AFP, he declined to comment, and his lawyers were not immediately available.
In their order for trial, investigating magistrates have requested that Perdriau be tried alongside three former associates accused of orchestrating the video’s filming. These include his former chief of staff, Pierre Gauttieri , former deputy in charge of education, Samy Kefi-Jérôme , and the ex-partner of Kefi-Jérôme, Gilles Rossary-Lenglet , who disclosed the scandal to *Mediapart* in 2022.
In contrast to the prosecutor’s recommendations, investigating judges have also ordered the indictment of two couples leading St. Etienne associations for allegedly compensating the authors of the videotape through fictitious services funded by the city, thereby facing charges of “breach of trust.”
“A toxic power that tarnishes our city’s image”
“I am pleased that the trial will take place in 2025… and that all protagonists, including association representatives, will be brought before a court,” Rossary-Lenglet shared with AFP. “Even though I know I will be convicted, I am happy because truth will prevail in the end,” declared the individual who identifies as a “whistleblower.”
The investigation has a second component. During the inquiry, Rossary-Lenglet provided a 2015 video referencing a blackmail scheme aimed at former Saint-Etienne mayor Michel Thiollière (UMP-rad, served from 1994 to 2008). The alleged plot involved entangling the former mayor with a minor prostitute, although this scheme was ultimately abandoned.
According to André Buffard , the attorney representing the two victims, the announcement of a trial signifies “relief” for Gilles Artigues, who is currently the diocesan director of Catholic education in Tarn. As for Michel Thiollière, he is “happy to learn that the facts concerning him… will also be judged,” Buffard added.
Despite his denials, Perdriau has witnessed a gradual erosion of support. At the end of May, various centrist and right-wing leaders expressed concerns about “a toxic power that tarnishes the image of our city and paralyzes its economy.”
Following the announcement of the trial, multiple politicians from both right and left hailed the decision. “It’s very good that justice will rule before the start of the municipal campaign, allowing it to proceed on clearer foundations,” stated Nicole Peycelon , an LR elected official who defected from the majority. The elections will occur “in a calmer atmosphere, as the residents of Saint-Etienne will know what to expect,” added environmentalist Olivier Longeon .
This is seen as “good news for Saint-Etienne,” where it is believed that Perdriau will no longer be able to shield himself behind the presumption of innocence to undermine the interests of the city and its residents, according to a statement from the socialist opposition.