Elysee Palace staff member accused of stealing tableware worth up to 40,000

"Investigators arrested the man and two alleged accomplices last week. They are accused of taking the objects from the official Paris residence of the French president and trying to sell them on online auction websites such as Vinted. The head steward at the palace alerted authorities to the missing objects, some of which are deemed items of national heritage. The items are estimated to have a combined value of up to 40,000 (35,000)."

"Investigators began to question Elysee staff after factory personnel recognised some of the missing items on auction sites. The alleged thefts are an unwelcome encore to a string of robberies from the Louvre and other French museums in recent months that have raised concern about lax safeguards at the country's cultural institutions. The role of silver steward involves storing and looking after tableware and similar items used by presidents, visiting royalty and other dignitaries."

"Prosecutors said inventory records made by the arrested steward gave the impression he was planning future thefts. According to investigators, the man's Vinted account included a plate stamped French Air Force and ashtrays marked Sevres Manufactory items not usually available to the general public. They said they recovered about 100 objects in his home, vehicle and personal locker, including Sevres porcelain, a Rene Lalique statuette, Baccarat champagne coupes and copper saucepans."

An Elysee Palace silver steward and two alleged accomplices were arrested for stealing silverware and porcelain and attempting to sell the items online. Factory personnel from the Sevres Manufactory recognised some missing pieces on auction sites, prompting investigators to question palace staff. Authorities recovered about 100 objects from the steward's home, vehicle and locker, including Sevres porcelain, a Rene Lalique statuette, Baccarat champagne coupes and copper saucepans. Prosecutors said inventory records suggested planned future thefts and cited listings on Vinted that included items not normally available to the public. The suspects appeared in court on 18 December and face trial on 26 February.

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