The wife of one of France’s top media tycoons has been fined 15,000 euros for paying another woman to take her driving test, reports The Times.
Jade Lagardère, 30, a Belgian supermodel whose 60-year-old husband, Arnaud, owns the Hachette publishing house, was convicted of corruption alongside eight others including the couple’s former personal guard.
At her trial in April, a court was told that in 2015 Lagardère had paid 15,000 euros for another woman — who wore a hijab — to pass the driving test in her name. Those convicted included instructors, examiners and officials who took bribes to turn a blind eye.
Lagardère denied the charges, saying she knew nothing about the actions of the guard, Jérôme G, a former member of an elite military police tactical intervention force.
The guard told police he had acted alone without the couple’s knowledge but it emerged yesterday that he had reversed his evidence and accused the businessman of instigating the fraud.