Woman and Daughters Accused of Deceiving French Heiress Out of Fortune
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Loading... - Johannes Gray
- 01 Jul 2024
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Prosecutors are seeking jail time for three women accused of exploiting Cléophée Herrmann, the heiress to the Schlumpf empire, leading to the loss of her €11 million inheritance. Herrmann, now 34, works as a waitress after her fortune vanished, a court in Colmar (Haut-Rhin, Grand Est) heard on June 27.
The primary accused is 68-year-old Josiane S., charged with “abuse of weakness” for exploiting Herrmann's vulnerabilities, especially after her mother's death in 2001 when Herrmann was only 11 years old. The prosecution described Josiane's method as a well-known tactic to isolate and manipulate Herrmann, taking advantage of her emotional state to live a lavish lifestyle and capture her inheritance.
Background of the Schlumpf Empire
The Schlumpf empire was founded by Hans and Fritz Schlumpf, originally from Switzerland. They built their wealth in the textile industry in eastern France and amassed an impressive automobile collection now housed in the Musée National de l’Automobile in Mulhouse. Cléophée Herrmann became the sole inheritor of this fortune, worth €11 million, after the death of her grandmother Arlette in 2008.
Herrmann had suffered from depression and anorexia, and it was within this context that Josiane S. is accused of stepping in as a surrogate mother to exploit her.
Charges and Defense
Prosecutors are also seeking 18-month jail sentences for Josiane’s daughters, Mathilde H., 33, and Julia H., 40, who are accused of handling stolen goods and abusing Herrmann’s weakness. The defense argued that they were unaware of their mother's plans or Herrmann's emotional state.
Mathilde’s lawyer, Hervé Bégeot, contested the allegations, suggesting that the remaining inheritance might have been spent by Cléophée’s late father, Patrick Hermann, who was estranged from his daughter and died in 2021.
Josiane’s Defense
Josiane defended herself by claiming she was unaware of Cléophée’s emotional vulnerabilities and denied being a surrogate mother. She stated that she had been closer to Cléophée’s father and that all money received was given freely by Cléophée. Josiane argued that any lavish expenses, such as the refurbishment of her flat costing several hundred thousand euros, were gifts from Patrick Hermann.
Josiane maintained that Cléophée was comfortable with her own life, except during personal relationship issues, and denied manipulating the heiress.
Courtroom Tensions
In court, Josiane’s elder daughter, Julia, accused her mother of being manipulative, especially during their parents' divorce. Josiane denied these accusations, leading to emotional reactions, including Mathilde leaving the courtroom in tears.
Josiane also addressed questions about her luxury shopping trips, claiming state healthcare covered her taxi rides due to mobility issues, and she only paid the supplementary costs.
Cléophée’s Testimony
Cléophée Herrmann, now working as a waitress earning €1,200-1,300 per month, testified about her struggle for justice for her young son. She expressed that the trial was her way of seeking revenge and reclaiming her life, stating, "Justice will be done…The worst is behind me. [Being here] is revenge for me. I've rebuilt myself, I've had ups and downs, I've understood real life."
The trial continues.
