Before the administrative court this Thursday, June 4, 2026, Sylvie Delezenne of Christian Nègre hopes to have a “service fault” recognized by the Ministry of Culture. With her co-victims, she denounces ignored alerts and an institution which would have let the man continue his actions despite reports.
Several victims of Christian Nègre were heard by the administrative court this Thursday, June 4, 2026. They are suing the Ministry of Culture, believing that the institution failed to protect them and that it bears part of the responsibility in this case of chemical submission on a national scale. In total, more than 240 women accuse Christian Nègre, a senior official at the Ministry of Culture, of having drugged them without their knowledge during job interviews. Sylvie Delezenne testifies.
What were the issues at stake in this hearing at the administrative court?
“There had already been a hearing in 2023 where victims had tried to appeal against the Ministry of Culture, to show that it had allowed a predator to prosper. The ministry had been condemned for the fault of the agent, but not for the fault of the service.”
He had been caught taking photos. Officials knew. This has not been officially reported. We let it predate.
Sylvie Delezennevictims of Christian Nègre
“The victims absolutely want to demonstrate the fault of the service. And since the investigation is not completed at the criminal level, we cannot use the criminal file. I have read it. There are thousands of documents in this file, and I can tell you that there are things that would be useful.”
“In the absence of being able to use the criminal file, we added 22 testimonies. We asked the court for a reprieve from ruling, so that it has the decency to postpone its judgment until the end of the year.”
“We hope for a conviction due to the fault of service, because we believe that the ministry has its responsibility. Or else, we would like the decision to be postponed.”
Why does the Ministry of Culture have a responsibility in your opinion?
“He had been caught taking photos. Officials knew. It was not officially reported. He was allowed to predate. If we had looked into his activities, he would have been suspicious and he would not have attacked women. If people had intervened to interrupt this predator and prevent him from evolving in the ministry, I would not have been attacked, for example. There should have been a report under article 40.”
I am relieved that this hearing took place. I’ve been waiting for it for over three years.
Sylvie Delezennevictims of Christian Nègre
“For example, when I left the ministry, I returned to reception and asked to go to the infirmary. I explained that I had had an interview with this person and that I was not feeling well. I was told that there was no infirmary or security register. And I asked for a report from the CHSCT but there was no follow-up.”
What is your feeling at the end of this hearing?
“I am relieved that this hearing took place. I had been waiting for it for more than three years. I felt support too: the AVfT was present (European association against violence against women at work), the inter-union of the Ministry of Culture, Caroline Darian, the journalists, the Women’s Foundation… The more we talk about it, the more we are supported. It was a pleasure.”
I have the impression that the lawyers hit the mark and aroused the interest of the president to look into the matter more seriously. And I hope so.
Sylvie Delezennevictims of Christian Nègre
“Until now, the impact of what we have experienced has been minimized. We have victims who complain of no longer having sporting activities, for example. We have charged them by saying: “they did not provide proof†. To place this weight on the victims is to perpetuate the silence. So I expect a lot from justice. The rapporteur is going in the same direction as the 2023 decision, but we have new elements, new evidence. 22 testimonials, that’s not nothing!”
“So I really hope that the administrative court will change its mind and support the victims. I have the impression that the lawyers hit the mark and aroused the interest of the president to look at the case more seriously. And I hope so. I don’t want to go through the court media. I want to think that justice is doing its job. We are waiting for the court’s decision and the end of the investigation of the criminal case.
