On Monday, the Fontainebleau Correctional Court dismissed workplace harassment allegations against Paul-Antoine de Carville, the mayor of Sens, Yonne. Alongside him, his deputy, Romain Crocco, and two municipal officials, Yannick Huel and Nordine Zaidi, were also acquitted.
Details of the Allegations
The accusations were brought forth by Arca de Amaro, the former director of the municipal recording studio, Le Garage. He claimed that between September 2022 and March 2025, he experienced moral harassment at the workplace.
Court’s Findings
- The court concluded that no instances of moral harassment occurred against de Amaro.
- Judge emphasized uncertainties regarding the city’s disciplinary actions against the former employee.
- Evidence presented was deemed insufficient to prove any extreme or derogatory behavior from the accused.
Key Considerations by the Court
The judge provided insights into the decision, noting that the court was not responsible for judging the city’s decision to reprimand its employee. He highlighted that the tone of emails exchanged regarding work matters was found to be normal.
Testimonies and Rulings
During the proceedings, the court ruled that it could not base its judgment on hearsay. Claims that suggest a collective harassment situation due to the presence of multiple accused were insufficient to establish guilt. The court stated that what was reported did not amount to substantial evidence of harassment.
In a follow-up to the verdict, de Amaro’s attorney, Cliona Noone, expressed disappointment and indicated plans to appeal the decision. She acknowledged the complexities involved in proving moral harassment and anticipated that the Paris Court of Appeal would bring clarity to the situation. Appeals in such cases are currently taking between one to two years for resolution.
