Lignes d'Azur, the public transport operator for the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area, is facing what several reports describe as the worst crisis in its history, according to France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The organisation's director general has been suspended on a precautionary basis by Bertrand Gasiglia, president of the regie since mid-May, France 3 reported.
The suspended director had launched six internal audits covering pay, maintenance, cleaning contracts and company agreements shortly after taking up her post, according to Nice Premium. Several unions wrote to management in June accusing her of conducting what they called a "witch hunt" against managers, the outlet said, while she has separately alleged political reprisals over her handling of what she described as irregular management of public funds.
Criminal complaints alleging financial misappropriation and fictitious employment, along with separate accusations of workplace harassment, have now been filed, according to ICI. The labour inspectorate and the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture have both been formally notified, France 3 reported, and an independent inquiry has been ordered to determine whether harassment took place.