Jean-Christophe Lagarde to face trial over false information campaign

Jean-Christophe Lagarde, former leader of the UDI, along with his former driver Rudy S. and an ex-policeman, has been ordered to stand trial for organized fraud. The case stems from a disinformation campaign targeting Raquel Garrido and her husband, Alexis Corbière, during the 2022 legislative elections in Seine-Saint-Denis.

Following the second round of voting, an article was published in the weekly Le Point falsely alleging that Garrido and Corbière were exploiting an undocumented housekeeper. The publication was retracted the following day, and the journal publicly admitted the content was false and misleading.

Investigations revealed that Rudy S. used multiple identity documents and created fake screenshots to stage the deception. The former driver admitted to the fabrication, stating he acted under constant and “obsessive” pressure from Lagarde to find compromising information against his political opponent. The judge has concluded that the three men participated in a coordinated fraudulent operation, leading to the decision to move the case to a public trial.