French Mayor Gaël Perdriau on Trial in Sex-Tape Blackmail Case
The mayor of Saint-Etienne, Gaël Perdriau, appeared in court on Monday, September 22, 2025, facing charges of ordering the creation of a sex tape to blackmail his former deputy, Gilles Artigues. Perdriau denies the charges in what has become known as "the sex-tape of Saint-Etienne." The trial took place in Lyon.
The Allegations and Key Players
Gilles Artigues, a Roman Catholic known for opposing gay marriage, was secretly filmed in a Paris hotel with a male prostitute. Perdriau, along with three of his staff and deputies, faces accusations of blackmail, criminal conspiracy, and misuse of public funds. The case has gripped the French media and raised serious questions about political ethics.
- Gaël Perdriau: The mayor of Saint-Etienne, accused of orchestrating the blackmail.
- Gilles Artigues: The victim, a former deputy mayor targeted due to his views on gay marriage.
- Samy Kéfi-Jérôme: A former deputy who admitted to planting the camera.
- Pierre Gauttieri: The mayor's former chief of staff, allegedly the one who gave the order.
- Gilles Rossary-Lenglet: Kéfi-Jérôme's former companion, who publicly accused the mayor and revealed the alleged plot.
Conflicting Testimonies and "The Contract"
Samy Kéfi-Jérôme confessed to planting the camera, claiming he acted under the orders of Pierre Gauttieri, who was then Perdriau's chief of staff. According to Kéfi-Jérôme, the intention was to "trap Gilles Artigues over his repressed homosexuality." He also added that although he had no direct proof of the mayor's involvement, he deduced that Gauttieri would have required Perdriau's approval.
Gilles Rossary-Lenglet further implicated Perdriau, alleging a "contract" existed. He claimed that Perdriau and Gauttieri made an electoral agreement with Artigues during the 2014 municipal elections but doubted his loyalty. Rossary-Lenglet, who first revealed the alleged scheme in 2022, stated he received €40,000 from municipal funds through subsidies to voluntary associations.
The Judge's Concerns and Potential Consequences
Presiding judge Brigitte Vernay expressed skepticism about Rossary-Lenglet's testimony, questioning his motives. "It's disconcerting: You admit everything to better accuse others," she stated, adding that his eagerness to smear others warranted caution when evaluating his evidence. Perdriau faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted and currently remains the mayor of Saint-Etienne. He has not ruled out running for re-election in 2026, but told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that he must first "rid myself of this sword of Damocles."
| Key Figure | Role in the Case | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Gaël Perdriau | Mayor of Saint-Etienne, accused of blackmail | On trial, maintains innocence |
| Gilles Artigues | Former deputy mayor, victim of the sex tape | Witness in the trial |
| Samy Kéfi-Jérôme | Former deputy, admitted to planting the camera | Testified against Perdriau |
