Paris Court Acquits Former Canard Enchaîné Leaders of Fictitious Employment Charges

On October 17, 2025, the Paris correctional court acquitted three former leaders of the satirical newspaper Canard Enchaîné—Michel Gaillard, Nicolas Brimo, and André Escaro—and Escaro's partner, Edith Vandendaele, on charges relating to fictitious employment and abuse of corporate assets. Vandendaele, who had been paid as a journalist from 1996 to 2022 with a monthly salary reportedly up to 5,600 euros net despite never being seen in the newsroom, was at the center of the allegations.

The court found that the case relied heavily on ambiguous declarations and interpretive claims which failed to establish that Vandendaele's remuneration was without legitimate basis or against the newspaper's social interest. Judge Claire Saas noted that the lack of physical presence in the office was "not decisive," given that remote work was common among other collaborators at the newspaper. Charges including fraudulent declarations for press cards, forgery, and fraudulent declarations to social organizations were also dismissed.

However, dissenting voices remain. Lawyer Me Pierre-Olivier Lambert, representing minority shareholders and journalist Christophe Nobili, criticized the ruling's reasoning and revealed intentions to challenge the decision on appeal.