Dominique Boutonnat: a chilling case of sexual assault ignored by the government

In public debate, this case is less often cited than that concerning Gérald Darmanin, for example. However, he is no less violent.

At 52, the current president of the CNC, Dominique Boutonnat is accused of sexual assault against his 20-year-old godson.

Designated State Representative for France Télévisions

The complaint, presented by the alleged victim, resulted in a investigation then to the September 26 sacking of Dominique Boutonnat beforeand court of Nanterre for sexual assault.

In this context, many voices have been raised to ask for the dismissal of the president of the CNC, renewed for a second term on July 20, 2022 from Emmanuel Macrondespite the allegations against him. Rumors that specifically pointed to the fact that the manufacturer ofUntouchable or even of polishes was a large donor of the President’s campaign as well as a former classmate of Édouard Philippe at Sciences Po.

However, exactly the opposite happened: not only was Boutonnat not dismissed from his duties, but he I have new ones. On October 17, was appointed state representative on the board of directors of France Télévisions by decree of Ministry of Culture.

The chilling details of the case

Mediapart had access to the summary of the survey conducted by the judiciary. In a November 14 article, the media reports facts related to with great violencewhich would have taken place on 4 and 5 August 2020. The investigating judge in charge of the case described them as “sufficiently characterized”concluding that the head of the CNC is suspected of using ” the flu ” which he exercises on his nephew to sexually assault him.

If Dominique Boutonnat denies these allegations outright, he has admitted to photographing his godson naked and have traded with him you kiss “as a token of affection”. According to the manufacturer, the young manthirty years his junior, was “enterprising”. She later stated that she did “awkwardly slapped to put him at ease. »

Boutonnat denies it en bloc, the inquiry contradicts him

However, the justice investigation led to conclusions questioning the manufacturer’s version. Among the offending elements are a phone call with his godson dating 9 August. This time, Boutonnat she admits that she was naked in the young man’s bed and declares:

“It happened because really We are very close and that… and that’s all, it happened something strange at that moment, that is related to your sexuality too, as well. And I have a lot of love for you And it happened that way because we were drunk. »

Another damaging element: the search of Dominique Boutonnat’s phone revealed that he had done it deleted photos of her naked godsonas well as post where he asked her not to say anything about that night. Eventually, investigators found out a gay pornographic video in his Twitter timeline, as revealed Mediapart. Nevertheless, Boutonnat denies having consulted it. According to the indictment, also a statement “incredible” confirms the fact that “His disputes of facts (…) cannot be believed. »

And the exemplary valued by our leaders?

Voices of protest continue to be raised against the producer’s retention at the presidency of the CNC, as well as against his recent appointment at France Télévisions. Denouncing “rather embarrassing news”, the Syndicat des Journalistes de France Télévisions reacted to this announcement in a press release published on October 19:

This appointment arrives totally out of time with the judicial calendar. Our leaders perform often exemplary as one of the values ​​of public service. The SNJ asks Dominique Boutonnat to do it retire and not to exercise liability towards France Télévisions before the end of his trial.

At present, there is no indication that this request will be heard. In March 2021, Boutonnat had been honored with “French Cinema Trophy of Honor”some days later the announcement of his indictment.

Featured Image Credit: © Vincent Baillais / Creative Commons