French Investigators Raid Élysée Palace in Corruption Probe Over Pantheon Ceremony Contracts

French financial investigators raided the Elysee Palace on April 14 as part of a corruption probe into contracts awarded to Shortcut Events.

“Investigators suspect irregularities in the awarding of contracts by the French presidential palace”

DIE WELT

Access to the palace was denied, citing Article 67 of the Constitution which renders presidential premises inviolable.

DIE WELT

The investigation focuses on whether proper procurement procedures were followed in awarding contracts consistently given to the same company.

Each ceremony was billed at around two million euros.

The last ceremony organized by Shortcut was the 2024 commemoration of Missak Manouchian.

The probe was launched following an anonymous tip to the PNF in late 2023.

Police also searched the National Monuments Center and Shortcut's offices, and several homes of implicated individuals.

Shortcut Events organized all Pantheon entry ceremonies from 2002 through 2024.

Each event cost around two million euros.

Global Banking & Finance Review®

The company is partly owned by Havas.

The investigation centers on potential favoritism, unlawful conflict of interest, corruption and influence peddling.

The National Monuments Center was also targeted in the searches.

President Macron's office confirmed investigators showed up at the Elysee.