Bishop Jean-Michel di Falco faces new investigation for alleged childhood sexual assault

The Marseille prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into Bishop Jean-Michel di Falco following a third complaint of rape and sexual assault on a minor. The complainant, 66-year-old Hubert Desplanques, alleges that he was sexually assaulted by the cleric between 1970 and 1973 while serving as an altar boy at the Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin church.

Desplanques stated during his audition that he has carried these memories for fifty-two years. The defense, represented by lawyer Olivier Baratelli, has denied all allegations, describing the claims as “false and imaginary” and stating that Di Falco does not know the complainant or his family. The investigation was transferred from the Paris prosecutor's office to the Marseille prosecutor's office.