2024 Olympic construction sites: up to four years in prison sought for employing foreign workers without authorization

Prosecutor Bérengère Théry began the joint closing argument by criticizing companies "that have decided to build their economic model on fraud against the law."

Three companies and 21 people are being prosecuted in this case which began in March 2022 with an inspection of the Olympic construction site by labor inspectors, alerted by the CGT.

"This is not a manhunt, a plot hatched by evil union members," the magistrate argued, recalling that the victims of the two identified organized gangs are "workers on French territory whose rights have been violated."

Against Mehmet B., "at the top of the pyramid", the prosecution has requested four years of imprisonment with a warrant for his arrest and a fine of 100.000 euros.

The 42-year-old man, born in Türkiye, allegedly coordinated a network of ephemeral companies, empty shells all of which were judicially liquidated.

By highlighting the inconsistencies between sales figures, hiring declarations and actual bank flows, the other prosecutor, Charlie Jacques, concluded that there was "massive and systematic fraud".

Against Mehmet B.'s brother-in-law, the prosecution has requested four years in prison, three of which are to be served, with a warrant for his arrest, as well as a fine of 80.000 euros.

A two-year prison sentence, one year of which could be served under alternative arrangements, and a fine of 60.000 euros have been requested for the other right-hand man of the "big boss".

Against the two de facto managers of the second organized gang, sentences of three years in prison, one year of which is suspended, and with a warrant for their arrest, have been requested.

A permanent ban on managing has been requested against these five men of Turkish origin, who come from the same region and may even be related.

Suspended prison sentences of 6 to 18 months have been requested against the straw men of the companies.

The prosecution has requested the acquittal of the GCC group, holder of the €60 million contract for the Olympic construction project, for employing foreign workers without work permits. However, it has sought a conviction for using undeclared labor, with a maximum penalty of €375.000 in fines and a three-year ban from public procurement contracts, one year of which would be suspended.

Against Alain G., agency director of GCC, six months suspended prison sentence, a fine of 10.000 euros and a five-year ban on managing have been requested.

The defense's closing arguments are scheduled to continue until Friday.