Paris
Associated Press
—
A silver butler employed by the French presidential palace will stand trial next year after he was arrested this week on charges of stealing thousands of euros worth of silverware and table service, the Paris public prosecutor’s office announced.
The head butler of the Elysée Palace reported the disappearance, with losses estimated at between 15,000 and 40,000 euros ($17,500 to $47,000).
The Sèvres workshop, which supplied most of the furniture, identified some missing items on its online auction website. Interrogations of Elysée staff led investigators to suspect one of the silver stewards, whose inventory records appeared to be planning future thefts.
Investigators established that the man was in a relationship with the owner of a company specializing in the online sale of goods, particularly tableware. Investigators found a plate on his Vinted account with the inscriptions “French Air Force” and “Sèvres Workshop” that are not available to the general public.
Approximately 100 items were found in Silver Steward’s personal locker, car and home. Items recovered included copper pots, Sèvres porcelain, a René Lalique statuette, and a Baccarat champagne coupe.
The two were arrested on Tuesday. Investigators have identified one recipient of the stolen goods. The recovered items were returned to the Elysée Palace.
The three suspects appeared in court on Thursday on charges of jointly stealing movable property registered as part of the national heritage site. The crime carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros, as well as aggravated handling of stolen property.
The trial was adjourned to February 26th. The defendants were placed under judicial supervision and were prohibited from contacting each other, appearing at auction sites, or engaging in any professional activities.
