French civil servant accused of drugging more than 200 women during job interviews

An unemployed former mother arrived for a job interview at Strasbourg ten years ago. Ela accepted some tea offered by the interviewer. Pouco later, during a long walk along the banks of the river Ill, felt a sudden and intense urge to urinate. The pain was strong. Ela couldn’t hold on.

The case involves Christian Nègre, former human resources director of Ministério of Cultura of França. Authorities are investigating accusations that he put a diuretic in the drinks of more than 200 women between 2009 and 2018. Candidates report that he suggested continuing conversations on walks outdoors, away from bathrooms. Muitas lost control in public or got their clothes wet. Ninguém has been convicted to date.

Acusado kept a spreadsheet with details of the alleged actions

Police found a file on his computer titled “Experiments.” Nele, Nègre recorded dates, names of the candidates and reactions observed after offering drinks.

• The women were of different ages and came from different regions of the country.
• Muitas were contacted via LinkedIn for positions in the ministry or regional offices.
• The diuretic used is potent and illegal in a non-medical context, according to investigations.
• Algumas victims reported sweating, tremors and swelling in their feet after the episode.
• Várias avoided looking for a job for months or years after the incident.

The case was discovered in 2018. A colleague reported that Nègre tried to photograph an employee’s legs. Isso led to the opening of an investigation. Oficiais identified the pattern in dozens of testimonies.

Vítimas describe humiliation and impact on professional life

Marie-Hélène Brice participated in an interview by the river. Ela felt intense pain equivalent to labor contractions. Mesmo after wetting her dress, the urgency persisted. Hoje, aged 39, describes the episode as traumatic.

Sylvie Delezenne, from Lille, accepted coffee from Paris. The interviewer took the glass briefly before returning it. Durante hours of walking through Tulherias’s gardens, she was sweating and shaking. Acabou crouching in a tunnel. Ele offered his coat to “protect” her. Ela felt responsible for the interview failure.

Anaïs of Vos, interviewed in 2011, needed to use a paid bathroom but had no money. The interviewer said he had no change. Ela managed to reach a cafe, but had already partially lost control.

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Investigação faces delays and criticism of the judicial system

The case remains in the judicial investigation phase. Nègre was removed from public service in 2019. Ele faces accusations of administration of a harmful substance, sexual harassment and violation of privacy. Seu’s lawyer reported that he does not comment on the case while the investigation continues.

Várias victims received compensation in civil action against Estado. A court found a failure to protect female employees. Ministério of Cultura denies direct responsibility but claims to take measures against harassment.

The number of confirmed victims varies between 197 and 249, according to sources close to the investigation. Justiça’s slowness generates frustration. Algumas women compare the case to the Dominique Pelicot trial, which involved large-scale chemical submission.

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Casos of drugs used to abuse women has drawn attention since the Pelicot case, which ended with convictions in 2024. Ativistas points to excessive delays in complex investigations. Magistrados handle process overload.

Nègre continued working in the private sector after his leave. Relatos indicate that he taught at a business school under an assumed name for a period of time. Victims ask for preventive leave to avoid new episodes.

The investigation is expected to update the parties involved in the coming months. Ainda there is no date set for a possible trial.