French far-left parliamentarian who railed against tax fraud investigated for tax fraud

French far-left deputy Carlos Martens Bilongo is being investigated by the Pontoise prosecutor’s office for tax fraud, a crime he campaigned against in parliament.

The 32-year-old politician, who denies any wrongdoing, is suspected of having withheld just under 200,000 euros from the authorities.

The elected representative had recently declared on Twitter that “the French are fed up with tax fraud which costs 100 billion euros per year”. Earlier he had made similar remarks on social media, remarks that are now gleefully being dug up by his political opponents.

The Val-d’Oise La France Insoumise deputy is suspected of tax fraud, misuse of social assets, and a failure to declare income to the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life.

The investigation was initiated in mid-April, after a report from Tracfin, a secret service attached to France’s Ministry of Finance and Public Accounts.

The announcement of the opening of the investigation occurred on May 11, the day of the publication of his first book, Noir Français [Black Frenchman]. As he promoted his book on May 11, the MP defended himself. “I don’t have an account abroad… please allow me to see my lawyers so that I can answer in peace,” he said.

He later published a letter on Twitter in which he claimed his innocence.

J’apprends aujourd’hui par voie de presse que je suis visé par une enquête préliminaire en matière fiscale. Ci-après mon communiqué. pic.twitter.com/mE5Z3iIYCP

— Carlos Martens Bilongo (@BilongoCarlos) May 11, 2023

“I have never opened a bank account abroad on a personal basis and I have just checked with my accountant who assures me that this is also the case for my companies”, he insisted.

“To my knowledge, all the sums paid into my company accounts have been declared in due form,” added the MP, who wants to be “transparent” with the public.