Paris Prosecutors Investigate Ex-Official for Alleged Abuse of 250 Women During Job Interviews

The Paris judicial authorities are conducting an extensive investigation into allegations against a former official from the French Ministry of Culture, accused of subjecting approximately 250 women to degrading treatment during job interviews. The reported incidents, which took place between 2009 and 2018 in Paris and Strasbourg, involve the use of diuretic substances and covert photography, raising significant concerns about workplace safety and ethical standards within public institutions.

According to prosecutors, the suspect allegedly administered diuretic agents to women during interviews, often by offering them coffee or tea. The effects of these substances forced many candidates into uncomfortable situations, requiring them to urgently seek restroom facilities or, in some cases, involuntarily soil themselves during the interview process. Investigators believe these actions were premeditated and designed to humiliate the victims.

The investigation revealed that some interviews were deliberately conducted outdoors, away from accessible restrooms, further increasing the distress of the candidates. In certain cases, the official reportedly followed the women to the restroom or encouraged them to continue the interview while walking, thereby exacerbating their predicament and leaving them little recourse.

Authorities uncovered a detailed digital record on the suspect's computer, listing the names and dates of the women affected, along with precise notes on when diuretic substances were administered and the outcomes that followed. Numerous photographs of women's legs and other covert images were also found during the search, suggesting a pattern of systematic misconduct over several years. The suspect's tactics only came to light in 2018, when he was caught covertly photographing a colleague during a work meeting.

Public reaction in France has been one of widespread shock and indignation, particularly as the case involves a former government official and the alleged abuse took place within the context of official recruitment procedures. The victims, many of whom did not receive the positions for which they applied, are now being encouraged by prosecutors to come forward and participate in the legal proceedings as civil parties.

Despite the gravity of the allegations and the suspension of the official, frustration has mounted among the affected women and the wider public due to the length of the investigation and the absence of a formal trial to date. Reports indicate that the former official continued to teach at a university in Normandy under a different name while under investigation, raising additional concerns regarding oversight and accountability.

The Paris prosecutor's office has stated that the investigation is nearing completion and is expected to be finalized this year, after which formal charges may be brought against the individual. The case has reignited discussions about safeguarding measures in public institutions, the vetting of officials, and the need for robust mechanisms to protect candidates during recruitment processes.

Authorities have reiterated their call for any additional victims who have not yet come forward to contact investigators. The outcome of this case is likely to have significant implications for recruitment practices and workplace conduct standards within French public services.