Former Macron minister Caroline Cayeux convicted of tax fraud and false declarations
Caroline Cayeux, a former minister under Emmanuel Macron, has been convicted of tax fraud and false asset declarations. The case centres on her understating her wealth by €11.7 million to reduce her tax liability. She resigned in November 2022 after an investigation exposed the discrepancies. Cayeux served as Macron’s minister delegate for local authorities until the Haute Autorité pour la Transparence de la Vie Publique (HATVP) revealed inconsistencies in her financial disclosures. Her declared wealth stood at around €9 million, but the actual amount surpassed €20 million. Among the undeclared assets were a house in Dinard, undervalued by €1.6 million, and a Paris apartment undervalued by about €2.5 million.
On April 1, 2023, a court found her guilty. She received a 10-month suspended prison sentence, a €100,000 fine, and a two-year ban from running for parliament. The conviction follows a pattern under Macron’s administration, with at least 26 ministers or senior appointees facing legal or political scrutiny since 2017. Notable figures include Richard Ferrand, president of the Constitutional Council, and former chief of staff Alexis Kohler.
The ruling coincides with government efforts to introduce new laws against tax and social fraud. Critics point to France’s intricate tax system and high wealth taxes as factors that may encourage such misconduct among public officials. Cayeux admitted to concealing her fortune to avoid the French wealth tax. The case adds to a growing list of scandals involving Macron-era officials. It also highlights ongoing debates about ethical standards and enforcement in French public life.
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