When politics meets the paranormal, the headlines practically write themselves—but they rarely come with as much drama as the so-called “ventriloquist psychic” scandal in Agde. Thursday’s ruling from the Montpellier Court of Appeal to release former mayor Gilles d’Ettore from jail has set a new episode in this ongoing saga, mixing courtroom tension, family tragedy, and an alleged psychic with a flair for misdirection.
An Unraveling Career and the Lure of a Comeback
For 23 years, Gilles d’Ettore presided over Agde, a town in southern France. Not your ordinary local politician, d’Ettore also served as a UMP deputy, building a considerable public career. But for the past two years, his name has barely left the headlines, embroiled in an affair officially dubbed the “ventriloquist psychic” case—a phrase that would have given Agatha Christie pause.
Now 57, d’Ettore has been indicted on charges ranging from illegal conflict of interest and embezzlement of public funds to outright corruption. Though he vehemently disputes all accusations, the legal shadows have long followed him. Having already spent three months in pre-trial detention, he was released on judicial supervision in June 2024. The clock, however, soon struck again: on January 21, he found himself reincarcerated, accused of breaking his judicial control right as he was about to announce a fresh bid for Agde’s municipal elections.
Judicial Tightropes and Unwelcome Reunions
Judicial supervision isn’t just a fancy set of handcuffs—it comes with rules. For d’Ettore, this meant a sweeping ban on meeting a whole cast of characters: witnesses, fellow accused, elected officials, and local government staff (no small feat in tight-knit Agde). Still, the former mayor was spotted twice in January: first alongside a port infrastructure manager, and then at two public events in the presence of his successor, Sébastien Frey. That was enough to get the justice system’s attention—and its ire.
Brought before the judge, d’Ettore faced accusations that he’d broken the “trust” of the courts. The general counsel pressed for his continued imprisonment, arguing that the violations were clear. Facing the judges, visibly moved, d’Ettore appealed to the court’s “clemency,” explaining that the encounters were unintended, shaped by the distress and chaos following the recent deaths of his brother and mother.
The Psychic, the Voice, and the Web of Influence
Central to the case—a twist worthy of a binge-worthy crime series—is a woman who built local fame in Agde as both psychic and healer. Her talents reportedly went beyond tarot readings: under police questioning, she described how she had manipulated her voice to convince others (including those closest to her) that they were speaking to a “supernatural being from the afterlife.” No Ouija board required; just a knack for ventriloquy and a theatrical knack for drama.
The plot thickened as allegations surfaced that this psychic used her abilities—and her personal link to d’Ettore—to secure significant perks from local businessmen. Among the supposed spoils: trips, home renovations, and even jobs for family members. The suggestion: persuasion drifted into the territory of manipulation, leveraging superstition for material gain.
- A local psychic and healer at the heart of the intrigue
- Allegations of supernatural conversations, courtesy of some creative voice work
- Accusations that advantages were secured through these tactics—benefiting herself and her family
More Questions Than Answers
With the Court of Appeal’s latest decision, d’Ettore is now once again free—at least for the moment. The exact terms of his new judicial supervision were not made public immediately. The saga certainly isn’t over: as March’s municipal elections approach, the city of Agde will watch closely to see whether their former mayor can mount a serious political comeback—or whether this tale of ventriloquism and politics will finally reach its denouement.
For everyone involved, it’s a reminder that no amount of smoke, mirrors, or supernatural impersonation can make legal troubles disappear. Public life is more transparent than ever, and the next chapter in Agde’s strange drama is still being written.
