Headlines
French presidential silverware keeper faces trial over suspected porcelain theft
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 20, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 20, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
French presidential silverware keeper faces trial for suspected porcelain theft, with items valued between €15,000 and €40,000.
By Tassilo Hummel
PARIS, Dec 20 (Reuters) - France's presidential silverware keeper and two other men are set to stand trial over the suspected theft of porcelain and other precious tableware, the Paris prosecution office said.
The Elysee, the president's official residence, had reported the disappearance of silverware and tableware pieces used for state dinners and other events, with the value of the missing items estimated between 15,000 and 40,000 euros ($17,500 and $46,800), the prosecution office said.
Prosecutors said the silverware keeper Thomas M. and his partner Damien G. were arrested on suspicion of theft on Tuesday. They said another man, Ghislain M., was arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen goods. Their full names were not given due to French privacy customs.
The French presidency did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Interviews with presidential staff pointed suspicions at Thomas M., whose suspected downward inventory adjustments appeared to anticipate future thefts, prosecutors said.
They said about 100 objects were discovered in Thomas M.'s personal locker, his vehicle and home, including copper pots, Sevres porcelain and Baccarat champagne glasses.
Investigators found an air force-stamped plate and ashtrays on his Vinted account, prosecutors said. Vinted did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
French paper Le Parisien, which first reported the case, said Ghislain M. worked as a guard at the Louvre museum, citing his lawyer as saying that his client's motivation for his suspected involvement was his "passion" for rare antique goods.
A court banned him from returning to his Louvre post pending trial, the paper reported. The museum and the prosecutors did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.
The museum suffered its own spectacular daylight heist in October when thieves disguised as construction workers stole priceless pieces from France's crown jewels, sparking a debate about security standards at the country's landmarks.
The Sevres porcelain factory, one of the Elysee's main suppliers, identified a number of items on auction websites, prosecutors said, adding that some items had been returned.
The trial is scheduled for February.
($1 = 0.8541 euros)
(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Alison Williams)
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, including clay, in a kiln to high temperatures. It is known for its strength, translucence, and is often used for fine tableware.
Theft is the unlawful taking of someone else's property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. It is considered a crime and can result in legal penalties.
An investigation is a systematic inquiry or examination into a matter to uncover facts, gather evidence, and determine the truth about an incident or allegation.
A trial is a formal examination of evidence in a court of law, where legal disputes are resolved. It involves presenting evidence and arguments to a judge or jury.
Explore more articles in the Headlines category
