Forget Clinton! François Mitterand, the French president from 1981 to 1995 (that’s two terms in France), had dirty laundry of his own– and he knew how to shut it up!
Link: Big Brother was listening.
When Jean-Edern Hallier released his book, “The Lost Honor of Mitterand” in 1996, he sparked controversy and public outcry.
Hallier is shown here in 1996, bombarded by the press.
Apparently from 1983 to 1986, Hallier was the victim of illegal wiretapping and surveillance. Why? Because the President feared he would reveal his secret, illegitimate daughter to the press.
Just last Thursday, decades after the fact, the Parisian courts ruled that Hallier’s family and his brother would all be compensated by the FRENCH GOVERNMENT for the illegal surveillance.
Two of Mitterand’s advisors during the time have been put in jail for 6 to 8 months, with a fine of only €5,000. I mean, hell, Martha Stewart got a tougher sentence!
In fact, the people hardest hit in this whole debacle: the people of France. The court ruled that €70,000 be given to Hallier’s son and daughters (for Hallier himself died in 1997) and that €20,000 be given to Hallier’s brother. Although not much in terms of government funds, is it really necessary to punish the French government 20 years after the situation?
In my opinion, the price tag should be placed on the two advisors, but I suppose I am not a qualified judge, nor did I hear all the evidence.
I suppose that it’s also important to tell you that Mitterand died in early 1996, before the book was published, so he’s doing just peachy-keen.
Note: For the past posts I’ve always been prompting you to tell me what you think but no one ever leaves comments… what the hell?!
Cons.
This is relevant to my interests. I have been intrigued and enlightened. My thanks to your generosity in sharing such knowledge.
(Only because you requested a comment.)