French Authorities Investigate Alleged Misconduct Against 250 Women During Job Applications

French judicial authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into allegations of serious misconduct involving approximately 250 women during job application processes within the cultural sector. The suspect, a former official tied to the Ministry of Culture, is accused of orchestrating a pattern of degrading behavior toward female candidates over several years.

According to information released by prosecutors in Paris, the alleged incidents involved the administration of diuretic substances to women during job interviews, often concealed in coffee or tea. The intention, investigators believe, was to induce a situation where the women had to urgently relieve themselves, sometimes under humiliating circumstances. In several reported cases, the suspect is said to have documented these episodes through photographs and meticulous notes.

The reported misconduct occurred between 2009 and 2018 in both Paris and Strasbourg, where the accused was employed at various points within the Culture Ministry and later at a regional cultural institution. Evidence uncovered during the investigation included computer files listing the names and details of affected women, including the date and time of each encounter, as well as the specific actions carried out. The files reportedly detailed when the diuretic was administered and the subsequent effects experienced by the candidates.

Some women recounted experiences during which they were encouraged to take part in interviews outdoors, away from accessible restroom facilities. In these situations, individuals were said to have been placed in particularly distressing positions. In one instance, it was reported that a candidate was followed by the official to a restroom, while another described being compelled to relieve herself in a public space while the suspect attempted to shield her from view.

The investigation gained momentum in 2018 after the suspect was observed at a work meeting in Strasbourg covertly photographing the legs of a senior colleague. A subsequent search of the suspect's computer uncovered a significant collection of images and detailed records documenting the alleged incidents.

Authorities have called on any additional individuals who believe they may have been affected but have not yet come forward to contact the police. These individuals are eligible to participate as joint plaintiffs in the ongoing proceedings.

The case has generated public concern in France, both due to the reported scale of the alleged misconduct and the duration over which it is believed to have occurred. Questions have also been raised regarding the length of time the investigation has taken, as the suspect--who has been suspended from public service--was reportedly able to continue working under an assumed name at an academic institution in Normandy while under investigation.

The Paris prosecutor's office has indicated that the investigative process is expected to conclude in the coming months, after which formal charges may be brought against the individual involved. Authorities emphasize their commitment to ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation, with the aim of addressing the reported misconduct and providing support to those affected.