France’s ex-Minister of the Environment Francois de Rugy has been relieved of the charge of wasting government funds a week after his resignation. The 45-year-old had been guilty of any wrongdoing, it was said yesterday in two investigation reports.
De Rugy had fallen into office after just over ten months over a „lobster affair“ and had submitted his resignation. He was accused of organizing banquets and renovating his apartment at government expense.
Lobster, champagne and expensive wines
The case became known as the „Lobster Affair“ because, according to Mediapart’s revelation portal, which chaired the National Assembly, De Rugy held several dinners until June 2018, serving lobster, champagne and expensive wines.
In the twelve dinners no rule violations have been found, it was now in a report by the National Assembly. Nine of them were classified as unproblematic. For three meals, however, the expenses were criticized as „overdone“. Government investigators also concluded in their inquiry report that De Rugy also complied with the rules when renovating his home.
The ex-minister said he saw himself „washed clean“ by the reports of all the allegations. De Rugy had previously lamented a „media lynch law“ and announced a defamation lawsuit against Mediapart.
