At RATP some lines never stop; some payslips, the accusation says, never did either. The association AC!! Anti-Corruption filed, on 12 August, a fresh complaint with the National Financial Prosecutor, after the Canard enchaîné's revelations: about 200 Île-de-France elected officials, from right and left, allegedly combined an 'undemanding' full-time RATP job with their mandate. In the spotlight, Bally Bagayoko, mayor of Saint-Denis, targeted for misuse of public funds and a fake job. RATP firmly denies. Presumed innocent.
The charges eyed — misuse of public funds, favouritism, forgery — sketch the classic mechanics of suspicion: a post whose real workload would not match the salary, benefiting people otherwise busy with a full-time elected mandate. The figure — 200 — gives the case a systemic scale, beyond party labels.
At RATP some elected officials had an unlimited pass… to the payslip without clocking in. The only trip never missed was payday's.
A dual role questioning the post's real workload
It all hinges on one word: the reality of the work done. The law allows, and even eases, combining a salaried job with a local mandate — that is RATP's defence. But combining assumes the post matches an actual service. If the activity is near-nil while the salary is full, you leave the balance and enter the fake job.
The cross-party nature of the case — officials 'from right and left' — is itself striking. It suggests, if the facts hold, a normalised institutional arrangement rather than an individual drift. It is precisely such a system the complaint asks justice to qualify.
A complaint, a denial, no conviction
Methodical caution: a complaint at most triggers a probe; it establishes nothing. RATP firmly contests and invokes the ordinary rules. The targeted officials, including Bally Bagayoko, enjoy the presumption of innocence. The elements come from the press, in the conditional.
200 'undemanding' posts: at that point it is no longer an org chart, it is a group subscription. Punctuality stayed optional.
What remains to be established
The reality of the jobs at issue, the existence of a genuine system and individual responsibilities will be established by the probe, if opened. For now there is a heavy complaint and a firm denial; the rest belongs to the National Financial Prosecutor.
Key points
- AC!! Anti-Corruption files a complaint with the PNF on 12 August.
- Alleged fake-jobs system for about 200 Île-de-France officials, all sides.
- In the spotlight: Bally Bagayoko, mayor of Saint-Denis.
- Charges: misuse of public funds, favouritism, forgery.
- RATP firmly denies. No conviction. Presumed innocent.
Magouilles & Compagnie verdict
Magouille or calomnie? A detailed complaint and a flat denial; no completed probe, no judgment. Holding verdict: when 200 officials allegedly shared the same 'undemanding' post, the only truly direct line ran from the badge… to the payslip.
⚖ Your verdict Live
In your view, is this a case of magouille — or calomnie?
📚 Sources
- Boursorama — A fake-jobs system for elected officials at RATP: AC!! Anti-Corruption files a fresh complaint
- franceinfo — Explaining the fake-jobs accusations at RATP targeting Île-de-France elected officials
❓ FAQ
What is a fake job?
A paid position for which the employee does not (or barely) perform the corresponding work. When the pay is public or para-public, the gap between salary and actual work may amount to misuse of public funds.
Is RATP accused?
The complaint targets an alleged system benefiting elected officials, not RATP as culprit. The company firmly denies and says it follows ordinary rules easing the balance between a local mandate and working life. No guilt is established; those targeted are presumed innocent.
Has anyone been finally convicted?
Unless stated otherwise, no. The article reports public information from the cited sources. Investigations, charges or proceedings do not amount to guilt. The presumption of innocence applies.
Is this real news or a parody?
It is factual satire: the facts are sourced, the tone is satirical. Nothing is invented, but the framing is ironic.