Three men will stand trial next year after a silver steward employed at the official residence of the French president was arrested over the theft of silverware and table service items worth thousands of euros, according to the Paris prosecutors office. The disappearance was reported by the head steward of the lyse Palace, with the estimated value of the missing items placed between 15,000 and 40,000 euros. The Svres Manufactory, which supplied much of the palaces tableware and furnishings, identified several of the missing items listed for sale on online auction platforms. Subsequent questioning of lyse staff led investigators to suspect one of the silver stewards, whose inventory records suggested he may have been planning further thefts. Investigators determined that the steward was in a relationship with the manager of a company that specializes in the online sale of objects, particularly tableware. On the stewards Vinted account, authorities found a plate stamped French Air Force and ashtrays marked Svres Manufactory, items that are not available to the general public. Around 100 objects were recovered from the stewards personal locker, his vehicle and the couples home. Items seized included copper saucepans, Svres porcelain, a Ren Lalique statuette and Baccarat champagne coupes. The two were arrested earlier this week, and investigators also identified a third individual accused of receiving the stolen goods. All recovered items were returned to the lyse Palace. The three suspects appeared in court on charges of jointly stealing movable property classified as part of Frances national heritage, an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 150,000 euros, as well as aggravated handling of stolen goods. The trial has been postponed until February 26. The defendants have been placed under judicial supervision, barred from contacting one another, prohibited from appearing at auction venues and suspended from their professional activities. The post Silverware worth thousands of euros stolen from French presidential palace appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
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