French prosecutors said Tuesday, September 16, they had launched a probe following reports that Rachida Dati, the outgoing culture minister who is aiming to become the mayor of Paris next year, failed to declare 19 pieces of luxury jewelry. Dati has served as culture minister since January 2024.
In April, French daily Libération reported that Dati had not declared jewelry and watches worth €420,000 upon taking ministerial office. In a comment to Agence France-Presse, the prosecutor's office said an investigation had been launched "following reports alleging the possible offense of failure to declare jewelry."
Dati, 59, is a high-profile political figure and mayor of the French capital's chic 7th district who holds ambitions to become the mayor of Paris next year. She has dismissed the report. "I have never been found to be at fault in any declaration. So it's not going to start today," she said in May. She added that she intended to file a complaint of her own for defamation.
Citing Dati's asset declaration from 2024, Libération reported that the politician declared wealth of some €5.6 million in real estate, savings and life insurance. There was no mention of jewelry.
The High Authority for Transparency in Public Office (HATVP) can take legal action if it detects fraudulent intent or a substantial omission.
In a separate case, Dati is to go on trial accused of corruption and abuse of power. She was placed under investigation in 2019 on suspicion she lobbied for the Renault-Nissan car group when she was a member of the European Parliament. She denies the allegations.
France is waiting for the lineup of the new cabinet to be announced after President Emmanuel Macron last week named his close ally Sébastien Lecornu as the new prime minister to resolve a deepening political crisis.