2023-12-20 15:48:01
PARIS (AP) — A prominent television host in France has been indicted on preliminary rape charges as authorities investigate allegations from about 20 women who have accused him of unwanted sexual conduct dating back decades.
Patrick Poivre d’Arvor denies the allegations and has sued 16 of his accusers. Poivre d’Arvor, a respected personality who hosted France’s most popular news program for more than two decades, insists the sexual encounters were consensual.
Prosecutors in the Paris suburb of Nanterre said Wednesday that Poivre d’Arvor was charged with preliminary charges of rape for alleged actions dating back to 2009. He was also named as an “assisted witness” to another alleged rape from 2004.
Both incidents affected the writer Florence Porcel, who filed legal complaints in 2021.
Under French law, preliminary charges mean magistrates have grounds to suspect a crime has been committed, but allow time to investigate further before deciding whether to send the case to trial. “Assisted witness” status also allows time for further investigation, which could lead to charges being filed or the case being dismissed.
The Nanterre prosecutor’s office reported that it opened two preliminary investigations in 2021 into numerous accusations against Poivre d’Arvor, including that of Porcel. One of the investigations, which included complaints from about 20 women, was closed and the other is ongoing, prosecutors said in a statement to the AP.
Poivre d’Arvor’s lawyers said in a statement that he “firmly contests the facts alleged by Ms. Porcel, as he has done from day one, and has provided numerous material pieces of evidence.”
Poivre d’Arvor was the star presenter of the TF1 evening show between 1987 and 2008, making him one of the most famous people in France.
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