Their hearings take place in the greatest discretion. Several prefects, commissioners and generals of the gendarmerie have recently been heard – or will be heard – by a magistrate from the Court of Auditors. According to our information, these senior officials are “indicted” in contentious proceedings, opened in January 2023 by the public prosecutor of the Court of Auditors, for “serious management misconduct resulting in significant financial damage”.
“Indictment” – a term used in financial litigation – roughly corresponds to an “indictment” in criminal proceedings. At the end of the investigation, if these senior officials are dismissed, they will be judged by the litigation chamber and risk a fine of up to six months of salary withholding. When contacted, the Court of Auditors confirmed the existence of this extremely rare procedure.