French businessman Jacques Bouthier, once a prominent multimillionaire, has been ordered to stand trial on charges of human trafficking and rape of a minor, according to judicial sources. The decision was confirmed on August 22, 2026, by the investigating judges in Paris.
Bouthier, former head of the Bouthier Group, a major construction company, was already under investigation for alleged sexual assault and rape. The new charges relate to events that allegedly occurred between 2015 and 2020, involving a minor at the time. The exact details of the allegations have not been fully disclosed.
His lawyer, Me Jean-Marc Fedida, stated that Bouthier "contests the facts" and plans to appeal the decision. The trial date has not yet been set.
This case is part of a broader #MeToo movement in France, where several high-profile figures have faced sexual misconduct allegations. Bouthier has been in custody since his initial arrest in 2021.
