The moral harassment case targeting the mayor of Saint-Martin-Vésubie and some of his deputies has resurfaced.

The voluminous file is meticulously filed. "And I only brought part of it," sighs Thierry Beunard. It must be said that the case has been going on for four and a half years. It concerns his wife, Pascale, aged 64. A little over a week after Storm Alex, on October 11, 2020, she collapsed in front of a doctor from the emergency medical-psychological unit set up after the tragedy. Almost five years later, Thierry, still shaken, produced the medical certificate written at the time. "Major depressive syndrome, suicidal thoughts as the only alternative," the psychologists wrote.

Administrative agent for 30 years

Pascale Beunard claims to be a victim of moral harassment at the Saint-Martin-Vésubie town hall. "Isolation, remarks, job changes, sidelining." The sixty-year-old has been an administrative officer for over 30 years. Recognized as competent and highly versatile, she swears she's been living hell since the 2020 municipal election campaign. A violent campaign, punctuated by incidents. Her husband, Thierry Beunard, former head of the CRS6 mountain section and former mountain advisor to Éric Ciotti between 2010 and 2017 on the departmental council, ran against the mayor, Ivan Mottet, supported by... Éric Ciotti. The former police officer now sits in opposition.

Police custody in 2023

"My wife wasn't strong enough to file a complaint immediately," he explains. It wasn't until April 2022 that she contacted the public prosecutor. This wasn't easy, as her complaint targeted Mayor Ivan Mottet, some of his deputies, including Prime Minister Alain Jardinet, and also town hall employees, including the Director General of Services. All were taken into custody and questioned between May and June 2023. However, the case was dismissed in December 2023. " For improper motives, unrelated to the complaint," insists Thierry Beunard.

"A lack of confidence, perhaps"

The couple doesn't want to leave it at that. This time, they filed a complaint with the senior investigating judge. An investigation was opened and a judge was appointed last September. The couple has high expectations for the proceedings. For them, it's certain, "Pascale paid for her husband's political commitment." They have proof, including a recording. That day, Pascale Beunard is summoned by the Director General of Services and the First Deputy Mayor. The aim is to discuss her change of assignment and floor at the town hall. Previously, the complainant was in charge of the elections and urban planning departments; she is relegated to the archives and their digitization, on the second floor. During her hearing, an elected official from the majority will clearly tell the investigators: "Since she stabbed us, we had to take away the electoral lists. (...) There is perhaps a lack of trust." "Unacceptable," shouts Thierry Beunard.

"Let justice take its course," says Ivan Mottet

"Of course I'm aware of the appointment of an investigating judge," sighs Ivan Mottet. It doesn't change much for him. "Personally, I don't feel affected by this affair at all," swears the mayor of Saint-Martin-Vésubie. Calm, he says, the elected official is waiting "to let justice take its course in this matter. " "Mr. Beunard is Mr. Beunard," he comments, sighing...