Philippe Douste-Blazy, a former French politician, is facing scrutiny after being linked to a luxury car purchasing scheme in Andorra, as reported by Mediapart. The investigation centers around allegations that Douste-Blazy acquired two Porsches through a network designed to evade taxes and ecological penalties.
At 72 years old, Douste-Blazy, who has not held any political office for nearly two decades, has firmly denied any wrongdoing. He asserts that his financial dealings are transparent and that he has always lived with absolute integrity. "I have always lived in absolute probity," Douste-Blazy stated, emphasizing that his purchases were made with his own money.
The controversy began when Mediapart revealed that Douste-Blazy's name appeared on the client list of a car dealer on the Côte d’Azur. This dealer has been arrested as part of an investigation into a hidden system of luxury vehicle purchases, which allegedly allowed clients to avoid paying VAT and ecological penalties that could reach up to 70,000 euros for high-polluting models.
In 2021 and 2023, Douste-Blazy reportedly purchased a Porsche 911 convertible valued at 151,666 euros and a Porsche 992 worth 235,000 euros, respectively. Initially, he claimed that these purchases were made by "one of [his] nephews," but later chose not to elaborate further on the matter.
Douste-Blazy, who served as the mayor of Toulouse and held various ministerial positions, including Minister of Health and Foreign Affairs, is now the president of the Toulouse Cancer Santé foundation. He has expressed surprise at the insinuations regarding his financial activities, stating, "I don’t see why I would apologize for having earned money honestly." He believes the accusations are unfounded and an attempt to discredit him.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Douste-Blazy is not under investigation nor facing any judicial procedures. The primary focus of the investigation is on the car dealer, who is suspected of orchestrating a money laundering scheme involving luxury car rentals and sales through two Andorran companies.
In light of the allegations, Douste-Blazy has reiterated his commitment to transparency, saying, "Everything is transparent. Everything is clear. Paid with my money." He expressed frustration that his long absence from political life is being overlooked in the current scrutiny, emphasizing that he has not held any political responsibility for 18 years.
As the investigation unfolds, several of Douste-Blazy's acquaintances have voiced their disbelief regarding the accusations, suggesting that it is an unwarranted attack on his character. They argue that he has dedicated his post-political career to medical research and philanthropy, rather than engaging in illicit activities.
In an interview with La Dépêche du Midi, Douste-Blazy's lawyer, Me Debuisson, stated that the claims made by Mediapart are "distorted from reality". He also pointed out that Douste-Blazy has been out of the political arena for nearly two decades, questioning the relevance of the accusations in relation to his current life.
As the public and media continue to scrutinize this case, Douste-Blazy remains adamant about his innocence and the legitimacy of his financial transactions. He views the ongoing allegations as an attempt to tarnish his reputation without any substantial evidence.
With the investigation still in its early stages, the outcome remains uncertain. However, Douste-Blazy's firm stance against the allegations suggests he will continue to fight to protect his integrity and reputation amidst the controversy surrounding his luxury car purchases.
