Élysée Palace staff member to stand trial over theft of precious tableware

A senior staff member at the Élysée Palace, identified as chief butler Thomas M, will stand trial in February for allegedly stealing precious tableware, including Baccarat glasses and Sèvres porcelain, valued between €15,000 and €40,000. Around 100 missing items from the presidential collection were reportedly found in his locker, car, home, and on his Vinted account. He is accused of stealing the items over several months and falsifying records to conceal the theft. Two other men are also implicated: Damien G, his partner and an online auction manager, and Ghislain M, a Louvre guard accused of receiving stolen goods. The Élysée Palace has already begun searching for Thomas M's replacement.

A silver steward at the Élysée Palace in Paris is facing charges for stealing "heritage property" from the presidential palace. The thefts, discovered after a staff member reported missing items, included copper pots, Sèvres porcelain, a René Lalique figurine, and Baccarat Champagne glasses, valued between €15,000 and €40,000. Suspicion fell on the steward, who oversaw decreasing inventories and had a relationship with the manager of an online auction company known for selling tableware. The stolen items were recovered from the steward's locker, car, and home, as well as the shared home of the steward and auction manager. The steward, the auction manager, and another suspect accused of receiving stolen goods were arrested and appeared in court.

In France, three men, including the Elysee Palace's silverware keeper, Thomas M, are set to stand trial for allegedly stealing porcelain and tableware worth between 15,000 and 40,000 euros. The Elysee Palace reported the disappearance of the items, used for state dinners, leading to an investigation. Thomas M and his partner, Damien G, were arrested on suspicion of theft, while Ghislain M was arrested for allegedly receiving stolen goods. Investigators discovered approximately 100 objects in Thomas M’s locker, vehicle, and home, including items he was reportedly selling online. The suspects face charges of jointly stealing moveable property listed as part of the national heritage, which carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a 150,000-euro fine.