The former chairman and CEO of the Casino Group, Jean-Charles Naouri, has been cleared of charges in the judicial investigation opened following accusations of marital rape and psychological abuse made by his wife. The decision brings to a close a judicial inquiry opened in June 2023 by the Nanterre public prosecutor's office after a complaint was filed with a civil claim for damages.
During the investigation, Jean-Charles Naouri was placed under the status of assisted witness. His wife, from whom he is in the process of divorcing, accused him of having committed rape during a stay in the south of France in July 2020, as well as of having subjected her to psychological violence.
The judges consider the charges insufficient.
In their ruling, the investigating judges determined that there was insufficient evidence to bring Jean-Charles Naouri to trial. This aligns with the conclusions of an initial investigation opened following a complaint filed in February 2022, which was dismissed a few months later due to a lack of sufficient evidence.
The former executive's lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu Bernard, welcomed the decision, believing it confirmed the unfounded nature of the accusations made against her client.
Another conviction that is still being contested
Aged 77, Jean-Charles Naouri led the Casino group for nearly two decades before leaving his position in 2024, after the takeover of the company by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský.
This dismissal of the case does not, however, preclude another legal proceeding. Last January, the former executive was sentenced to four years in prison, three of which were suspended, and fined one million euros for corruption and disseminating false information in a case related to an agreement concluded in 2018 with media mogul Nicolas Miguet. Jean-Charles Naouri has announced that he has appealed this conviction.
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