Journalist Jean-Jacques Bourdin strongly denied on Tuesday the accusation of sexual assault, which is the subject of an investigation in Paris, or the sexist behavior formulated in a Mediapart article on Monday.
The journalist, temporarily removed from the antenna on BFMTV and RMC, “firmly denies having had actions or attitudes likely to be repressed by law, both in his professional sphere and outside it”, in a press release sent to the AFP by his lawyer Me Christian Saint-Palais. “As soon as justice is seized, including for periods covered by the prescription, he calmly awaits the decisions which will be rendered”, continues the text.
Facts that could be prescribed
Journalist Fanny Agostini, former weather presenter of RMC-BFMTV, then passed by Thalassa, indicated Monday in Mediapart to be at the origin of the complaint for “attempted sexual assault” filed against the interviewer, for facts which are would be produced in 2013 in Corsica, in Calvi.
The facts denounced by Ms. Agostini could be time-barred since the time limit in this regard is six years and the complaint dates from January 2022.
The Mediapart article collects other testimonies targeting Mr. Bourdin, some anonymous, others identified, including that of Sidonie Bonnec who evokes comments considered inappropriate in the professional sphere.
“Jean-Jacques Bourdin discovers in the press the grievances formulated against him for the first time, often on condition of anonymity, for alleged facts sometimes more than twenty years old”, continues the press release. “He expresses his gratitude to those who support him,” adds the text.
An investigation was entrusted by the Paris prosecutor’s office to the 16th arrondissement police station and an internal investigation was opened by Altice, parent company of BFMTV and RMC.