Casino CEO Jean-Charles Naouri targeted by a judicial investigation for domestic violence and rape

sexual violence The complaint was filed last October by the CEO's wife

The Chairman and CEO of the French retail group Casino, Jean-Charles Naouri, is photographed at the end of the presentation of the 2012 results of the group, in Paris, February 21, 2013. — ERIC PIERMONT/AFP

On the verge of losing control of his group, the CEO of Casino, Jean-Charles Naouri, is also targeted. by a judicial investigation for rape and domestic violence, on a complaint from his wife whom he himself accuses of slanderous denunciation.

The Nanterre public prosecutor's office, solicited by AFP, said this Thursday having opened in early June a judicial investigation for rape and domestic violence targeting Jean-Charles Naouri, 74, after the filing of a complaint with a civil action by his wife. “The investigating judge will investigate to see if there are new elements,” the prosecution.

The couple in the process of divorcing

The complaint had been filed last October by the CEO's wife, and the couple have been in the process of divorcing since January 2022. A first complaint filed in February 2022 was dismissed in August because “the offence” had not been “Sufficiently characterized”.

In her October 2022 complaint, which AFP was able to consult, she accuses Jean-Charles Naouri of having committed marital rape during a stay in the South of France in July 2020. The wife, Franco-Israeli, also explains that she was the subject of psychological violence including “insults, humiliations, belittlements” and also describes “isolation” with “economic control”.

The opening of this investigation “is good news” for the victim, aged 54, said to AFP his lawyer, Me Emmanuel Asmar, who did not wish to make more comments. “[This] complaint with civil action automatically leading to the opening of a judicial investigation, we have been waiting for it calmly since the end of 2022”, reacted on his side. Mr. Naouri's lawyer, Me Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, requested by AFP. Jean-Charles Naouri“s wife “used” of this last resort which led us to oppose him with a complaint for slanderous denunciation,” she added.

CEO of Casino since 2005

Born on March 8, 1949 at; Bône (now Annaba) in Algeria, Jean-Charles Naouri, son of pied-noir, was inspector of finance, then chief of staff to Pierre Bér&égovoy, at the Ministry of Social Affairs and then at the Ministry of Social Affairs. Economy and Budget, from 1982 to 1986.

The Casino distributor's largest shareholder since 1992, he has been its CEO since 2005. Over the years, he made the group grow. acquisitions, often financed by debt, with Franprix, Leader Price, Monoprix, or even the e-tailer CDiscount. But the CEO's long-shining image is largely tarnished by the end of his announced reign. to the head of Casino.

He is indeed on the verge of losing control of the group and his position with the takeover planned by the Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. His group, strangled by debt, was caught up by a commercial and stock market collapse, and several legal proceedings.

An agreement in principle

Announced on July 28, the financial restructuring agreement in principle concluded between the distributor Casino, its buyers the billionaires Daniel Kretinsky, Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière and the Attestor fund, and its key creditors is “ ”a strong legal promise” Jean-Charles Naouri in a published interview by Le Point on Wednesday.

“I put all my energy” so that Casino, whose financial situation was compromised two or three months ago, is no longer in this position. I am proud of myself. It”s not a win-win,” teams are not affected.” “I'm happy with it and I think I did my duty,” he said.