Former President of Monaco’s Supreme Court, Didier Linotte, has been formally charged with corruption, influence peddling, and illegal taking of interest. The indictment centres on a controversial 2020 decision that awarded €136 million—plus interest—to developer Caroli after canceling a major real estate project on the Esplanade des Pêcheurs.

Didier Linotte, aged 77 and former rector of the Académie de Nice, led the Supreme Court for 11 years until his dismissal by Prince Albert II in August 2023. He was taken into custody earlier this week and released under judicial supervision on Wednesday — but barred from leaving Monaco — with charges including trafficking of influence, passive corruption and illegal taking of interest in an organised group, according to AFP.

The disputed €136 million ruling

The investigation focuses on how the Supreme Court, of which Linotte was a member, ordered the state to pay nearly €136  million to Caroli in 2020 after canceling the Esplanade des Pêcheurs development. Critics allege improper influence behind the judgment. According to Monaco Matin, Linotte’s lawyer, Me Pascal‑Pierre Garbarini, describes the claims as a “fairy tale”, stressing that five out of seven judges approved the ruling collectively.

’Dossiers du Rocher’: the case unravelled

The charges are tied to the ‘Dossiers du Rocher’ revelations — anonymous allegations published online in 2021 linking Linotte and three others close to Prince Albert II, including the Prince’s personal lawyer Thierry Lacoste and comptroller Claude Palmero, to real-estate favours involving Caroli and Marzocco real-estate firms. A total of 30 inquiries are now underway.

Linotte and his co-accused suggest the real culprit behind the leak was rival developer Patrice Pastor, seeking to discredit them after they resisted his estate expansion plans.

What’s next in the legal saga?

Following 48 hours in police custody, Linotte was placed under stringent judicial supervision. He denies wrongdoing and plans to challenge the charges. His lawyer, reports AFP, has filed motions before Monaco’s court of appeal, including a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights.

This is the first time the Monegasque justice system has indicted a former head of the country’s top court.

See also: 

Monaco invokes “fraud” to challenge €140 million Esplanade des Pêcheurs penalty

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