A leading French television presenter, Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, has received a preliminary charge of rape and abusing authority amid investigations into complaints by approximately 20 women accusing him of sexual misconduct spanning decades.
Poivre d’Arvor, who hosted France’s most popular news program for over two decades, vehemently denies any wrongdoing and has filed lawsuits against 16 of his accusers, insisting that the encounters were consensual.
The Paris suburb prosecutors’ office in Nanterre announced on Wednesday that Poivre d’Arvor faces preliminary charges related to alleged actions in 2009 and has been named an “assisted witness” in another alleged rape from 2004, both involving author Florence Porcel, who filed legal complaints in 2021.
Under French law, preliminary charges indicate strong suspicions of wrongdoing, allowing time for further investigation before deciding on trial proceedings. The “assisted witness” status also permits additional investigation that may result in subsequent charges or the dismissal of the case.
The Nanterre prosecutors’ office initiated two preliminary investigations in 2021 into multiple accusations against Poivre d’Arvor, with one closed and the other ongoing. Poivre d’Arvor’s legal team asserts he contests the allegations and has presented substantial evidence.
Despite acknowledging some inappropriate behavior in an interview, many allegations against him are now beyond the statute of limitations.
