In a significant turn of events within Monaco's elite circles, Salim Zeghdar, the newly appointed administrator of the Monegasque Crown Property, was detained by police for an extended period on Wednesday, accompanied by four members of the palace carabinieri, according to Monaco Matin. The incident is the latest in a sequence of controversial legal issues involving the management of Prince Albert’s estates, signaling ongoing turmoil around this high-profile position.
The arrest follows closely on the heels of an inquiry involving Claude Palmero, the former administrator who was dismissed in June 2023 after allegations of misconduct emerged following over two decades in the role. Palmero, who has not yet been formally charged, faces serious accusations including trust abuse, undue influence, and potential embezzlement, prompted by an audit initiated by his successor, Zeghdar, with assistance from Swiss firm Alvarez and palace security.
The situation escalated with accusations from Erwan Grimaud, a drone company executive, who alleged intrusive surveillance tactics during the investigation, leading to further judicial scrutiny into possible abuses of authority among other charges. This has broadened the scope of the investigation, encompassing the recent detentions of Zeghdar and the involved carabinieri, highlighting deepening complexities in the governance of the principality’s crown assets.
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