accusations

The Accusations

Gilles Pedron (avocat angers) employed by the law group Sultan-Collin-Barret has allegedly committed violations of law and violated his oath of office to the bar (organization that sanctions an individual to practice law) in Angers. Mr. Pedron along with his roommate, Miss Dominique Landreau, deliberately deteriorated over time the house they rented from a group of families in shared ownership (indivision). This act was committed with the alleged intention of eventually attempting to purchase the property from the indivision at a considerably reduced value. During the offer to purchase however, one member (living outside the country) of the indivision became suspicious of the procedures due to inconsistencies in the representation of the value of the property by different sources. That member decided in February 1998 to contact the agency (Legros Immobilier) that was managing the property and arranged to visit the house in or around late May 1998. "Shocking" was the word used by the owner at the first sight of the property she owns along with her brother and sister through inheritance from their parents. Dead trees toppled in the garden, overgrown bushes, piles of debris scattered about the area, two large trees missing (cut without permission), moss and mildew growing on the roof, logs stacked against a slate wall causing the wall to bulge and thus causing damage to adjoining structures, etc etc... This was just the outside however and more abuse was observed in the house. The walls in the kitchen and living room were coated with smoke film from cigarettes and cooking. The wall paper turned yellow from cigarette smoke. One bedroom had walls filled with mold as well as some areas of the kitchen and bathroom. The hallway had a cracked wall and torn wallpaper with graffiti placed on it. The kitchen ceiling had a crack and peeling wall paper as a result of the flashing around the chimney on the roof pulling away. And etc. etc... Fortunately a camera was brought to the inspection that provided documentation with photographs of the deplorable condition that the house and garden had acquired.

After members of the indivision consulted each other it was decided the oldest member would act as representative for the family. Her first act was to inform Pedron/Landreau of their violations of the terms of the rental contract and request the renters to put back the property to the condition first rented. It is the renters obligation as stated in the contract to maintain at their expense the property to the state they first rented it in. Secondly, as a result of the violations of contract a decision was made to use the right specified in the contract to immediately terminate the contract. They therefore proceeded to inform the renters of this decision through a lawyer, Herve Lenoir.

At this point the issue becomes very interesting. Pedron being a newly established lawyer in a small law firm in Angers could not afford to allow such an issue become known to the local bar association and the public. Therefore, his response was to tell Mr. Lenoir of intentions to take the indivision to court. Mr. Pedron and Miss Landreau's accusations were the indivisions refusal to replace and repair the very objects of their abuse. Furthermore, in an effort to obscure the court action from the community and the local bar Mr. Pedron arranged to have the trial held outside of Angers in Saumur.

We have included a copy of the relevant parts of the rental contract and accusations filed in court. Furthermore we have posted the pictures that were taken during the visit along with descriptions. Presently the case is pending and an expertise (a court ordered independent evaluation of the present condition of the property) will take place on December 16, 1998 at 13 rue Ernest Mottay.

We will continue to follow this issue and update this article as new events unfold. A counter-suit has been filed and Legros Immobilier has also been named for numerous misdeeds.

A side story from this issue is in progress. It has been brought to the attention of the Editor that "the renter has done no wrong" with respect to the French way of conducting business. We were told by knowledgeable sources that part of the French way is to be concerned for one's own financial interests first even if it violates the interest of others. In fact a person in Pedron's place would be considered a fool had he not tried to acquire the property at a lower price. The question remains, how far can one go before losing civility. Does ethical civility rate concern?

We have no reason to believe the validity of the above statement however we do feel an obligation to investigate all possibilities. We request anyone with knowledge or opinions supporting or refuting such allegations send their comments to the Editor. All replies held in confidence.