Full Breakdown
Investigation into Alleged Bribery Over France’s Legion of Honour
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Police have placed former Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour, five-star General Benoît Puga, in custody as part of a probe into possible bribes exchanged for nominations to France’s highest civil and military order. The investigation, led by the anti-corruption office l’Office central de lutte contre la corruption et les infractions financières et fiscales, seeks to determine whether Puga used his position between 2016 and 2023 to favour members of the late former senator Jean-Pierre Bansard’s family or professional circle. Puga is scheduled to be taken into police custody on September 22 and released the following evening, according to French media reports.
Background & Context
The Legion of Honour, created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, recognises outstanding service to France. Recipients have included revolutionary leaders, World-War-II resistance figures, and recent personalities such as footballer Gisèle Pélicot, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and the 2018 men’s World Cup team. The award is administered by a council chaired by the Grand Chancellor, who reviews nominations submitted by government ministers; final approval rests with the President of the Republic.
Details of the Probe
Media reports indicate that Bansard, who died in 2024, had a “friendly” relationship with Puga, inviting him to costly dinners, a holiday in Corsica, and offering business opportunities for Puga’s son. Police have also searched the homes of both men, Bansard’s business offices, and questioned Puga’s wife, a restaurant owner, a former Grand Chancellery member, and businessman Julien Renault, founder of the Foundation for the Legion of Honour. Renault denied any proposal to exchange cash for honours, stating that “no-one ever promised decorations, ever.”
Official Statements & Responses
Both Puga and the late Bansard denied any wrongdoing. The anti-corruption office has not released a formal comment beyond confirming the ongoing investigation.
Data & Statistics
According to the Léonore database, more than 380,000 people have been awarded the Legion of Honour since its inception, with roughly 79,000 individuals currently holding the decoration. The order and the related National Order of Merit each comprise five ranks—Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, and Grand Cross—and can only be revoked by the President.