Classification of the investigation into a plot of land pre-empted by the Corsican Community in Cavallo

The investigation opened in September 2023 into possible irregularities in the management by the Corsican Collectivity of a pre-empted plot on the island of Cavallo, known as the "island of billionaires", has been closed without further action, the Bastia prosecutor announced on Monday, October 6.

This preliminary investigation was opened "in particular for bribery", following a report from the regional audit office (CRC) in September 2023.

Concussion is the fact, for a person entrusted with a public service mission, of not receiving a sum due (tax, etc.) or of receiving an undue amount.

The case concerns the purchase by pre-emption at the end of 2018 by the Collectivity of Corsica of a plot of 3,3 hectares for two million euros on the island of Cavallo, attached to the commune of Bonifacio (South Corsica). ) and almost privatized.

However, a restaurant was operating on this plot and a commercial lease in force until the end of 2026 prevents the Community from developing the land with a view to opening it to the public, the CRC noted in a report published on January 15, 2024.

She also pointed out that the community led by the autonomist Gilles Simeoni had decided "not to recover any of the annual rents owed" by the restaurant, representing a loss of "20.000 euros per year", and had refused to pay the co-ownership charges (11.000 euros per year), charges paid by the tenant.

This pre-emption aimed to "allow all public authorities to re-establish the rule of law on the island of Cavallo", "a symbol and archetype of land and real estate speculation (...) and hidden financial transactions for decades", Gilles Simeoni defended himself in his written response to the CRC.

“The same applies to the refusal to collect rents or to pay co-ownership charges from the co-owners' union”, which “participates through its operation” in “the privatization of the island's beaches”, he had justified.

"The proceedings against the Corsican Community have been closed due to the measures taken to regularise the offences," namely "the payment of the sums that should have been paid," Bastia public prosecutor Jean-Philippe Navarre told AFP, confirming information from Corse-Matin.

On the other hand, the company that operates the restaurant "La Ferme", on the pre-empted land, and its manager are being prosecuted "for carrying out work not authorized by a building permit", added the magistrate, specifying that a hearing was scheduled for November 26.