French prosecutors investigate left-wing mayor over alleged misuse of public funds

The National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) said on Monday that a preliminary investigation was opened on 19 August for suspected embezzlement of public funds, handling of misappropriated funds and illegal collection of public funds by a public official.

It said the enquiry was aimed at “carrying out the necessary checks into [Bagayoko's] conditions of employment” at the state-owned RATP Paris transport agency. 

The case was opened following reports in satirical and investigative weekly paper Le Canard enchaîné, which then led to two complaints being filed.

In an article published on 4 August, Le Canard enchainé reported that before becoming France Unbowed (LFI) mayor of Saint-Denis in March this year, Bagayoko had for around two decades combined local political office with a management position at RATP.

It said he was recruited in 2000 without a competitive exam or interview, on flexible hours and with generous allowances. He had held the job, it claimed, while serving as a deputy mayor, later also becoming a vice-president of the departmental council.

Le Pen rejects claims of 'organised misuse' of EU funds in Paris appeal hearing

Wider allegations

The complaints lodged by campaign group AC!! Anti-Corruption allege embezzlement of public funds, illegal taking of interest and favouritism.

They are based on both the satirical weekly's reports and others by the media outlets Mediapart and Marianne.

The second complaint alleges the existence of “an organised and structured system of fictitious jobs rather than isolated acts” involving “Paris and Île-de-France elected officials at RATP, from all political backgrounds”.

The officials were allegedly "paid by RATP for jobs with no real activity, sometimes without being present, sometimes without an identifiable job description”, the complaint said.

AC!! Anti-Corruption president Marcel Claude told French news agency AFP the group was pleased prosecutors had acted "because there were grounds for it".

RATP, which had previously denied allegations of preferential employment within the company, welcomed the opening of the investigation.

“From the moment it became aware of the complaint, RATP gathered the information available to it, which has been passed on to the judicial authorities, with whom it is fully cooperating,” the company said.

RATP had earlier said it followed “ordinary legal rules, including the law of 22 December 2025, which allow and facilitate the reconciliation of local elected office with the professional and personal lives of employees”.

Thousands rally against racism in Paris suburb to defend mayor

'Slander'

Bagayoko said through his aides that he hoped the case would be dealt with as quickly as possible and that he was "at the disposal of the courts" and "confident about the outcome".

He had earlier dismissed the allegations as “absurd" and said they were aimed at discrediting him politically.

Shortly after his election in March, he filed an official complaint against the right-wing CNews broadcaster for racist abuse. 

Hard-left Mélenchon launches 2027 campaign with broadside against National Rally

LFI officials have given Bagayoko their full backing. Party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon described the allegations as “slander against Bally Bagayoko" and accused his opponents of a “campaign” against the movement's black elected officials.

Saint-Denis, north of Paris, has around 150,000 inhabitants and is the largest French town run by LFI. Bagayoko won his seat in the first round in March with 50.77 percent of the vote.

LFI launched its 2027 presidential campaign on 7 June in Saint-Denis, with Mélenchon running for president for the fourth time.

(with newswires)