Apollonia trial: Seven years in prison for the couple at the center of the massive real estate scam

Jean Badache, 71, and his wife Viviane, 69, were each sentenced to seven years in prison for their central role in this scam, which promised wealthy clients, mainly from medical professions, the ability to build up real estate assets at a lower cost.

The Marseille criminal court accompanied these convictions with deferred but provisional arrest warrants, which means that the Badache couple should go to prison on a date to be set later, despite the appeal immediately announced by their lawyers.

The conviction, which opens the way for compensation proceedings for the numerous victims, comes with a fine of 2,5 million euros for each of them and the confiscation of real estate, bank accounts, jewelry and cash totaling 20 million euros, including their sumptuous villa in Cassis valued at 9 million and a villa in Marrakech.

During the trial, from March 31 to June 6, 2025, the prosecution had requested the maximum sentence of ten years in prison against Jean and Viviane Badache, denouncing the "biggest real estate and financial fraud that France has ever known".

The court described them as the "masterminds of the crime," with Jean Badache having "conceived and implemented" the "fraudulent schemes" designed to "trap potential buyers in Apollonia's web," and Viviane Badache training staff to "conceal information useful to the banks." All of this was fueled by an "extraordinary desire for enrichment."

The scheme involved "stacking" mortgage loans on clients, solicited by salespeople from this Aix-based wealth management firm, which collected 115 million euros in commissions between 2004 and 2009.

Apollonia dangled the prospect of acquiring assets without spending a penny through the status of professional furnished rental to its clients, described as "pigeons" by Jean Badache, according to testimonies from the company's sales representatives.

VAT refunds during the first few years, rental income, and tax breaks were supposed to fully self-finance the acquisitions. Invited to sign stacks of blank documents, clients delegated all the procedures to Apollonia and ended up with debts ranging from €800.000 to €100 million taken out with various banks.

"It's a feeling of relief for all our clients. Today, their status as victims is finally recognized," said Christophe Jervolino, a lawyer representing more than 200 victims.

Appearance of respectability

Fourteen people and the company Apollonia appeared in court on charges of organized fraud, forgery and aggravated money laundering.

Four Apollonia sales representatives also received heavy sentences. François Melis, described by the prosecutor as a "little Badache," was sentenced to five years in prison, a €300.000 fine, and the confiscation of €450.000 worth of assets. Jean-Luc Puig, who enjoyed an "extravagant lifestyle" thanks to Apollonia, also received a five-year prison sentence and a €150.000 fine.

Two other salesmen were sentenced to three years imprisonment and a fine of 30.000 euros and four years, two of which were suspended, and a fine of 200.000 euros respectively.

The scam also involved notaries and a lawyer, who provided an air of respectability to gain the clients' trust.

"A crucial element perceived as a guarantee of security by the buyers," one of these notaries, from Aix-en-Provence, to whom Apollonia had brought in one million euros, was sentenced to five years in prison, three of which were suspended and the rest to be served under an electronic bracelet, and a fine of 700.000 euros.

One of his colleagues from Marseille was sentenced to 5 years, including 18 years of mandatory imprisonment, and a third, from Lyon, was acquitted.

A lawyer, representing the company Apollonia and the Badache couple, who "helped to give an appearance of respectability" to the operations, was sentenced to five years in prison, three of which were suspended, and a fine of 300.000 euros.

Benjamin Heysen Badache, son of the couple, employee and then president of Apollonia, was sentenced to one year in prison under electronic bracelet and three years suspended, two former secretaries of the company to three years suspended and another to 18 months suspended.