A silver steward working at Élysée Palace and two others are accused of stealing $17,500 to $47,000 worth of porcelain and silverware from the official office and residency of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte.
Silverware keeper Thomas M., his partner Damien G., and Ghislain M. were charged on Dec. 18 with jointly stealing movable property listed as part of the national heritage and aggravated handling of stolen goods, according to the Paris Prosecutors’ office.
Their full names were not revealed because of French privacy laws.
After the Élysée Palace first reported the missing items to the police, the company that supplied most of the items located several of the lost pieces on an auction website.
An investigation into the staff revealed that Thomas M. was in a relationship with Damien G., a manager at a company that was holding an online sale of the stolen items. These items are part of the national heritage and were never available for public purchase.
The pieces listed included a plate stamped “French Air Force” and “Sèvres Manufactory” ashtrays being sold on Vinted, a resale website.
Investigators said they found 100 items in the silver steward’s locker, car, and home, including Baccarat champagne glasses, copper pots, and Sèvres porcelain.
Prosecutors suspect he had plans to steal more.
Most of the stolen items were used to entertain world figures during state banquets and dinners.
The suspects first appeared in court on Dec. 18, and their trial was postponed until Feb. 26, 2026.
If convicted, each could face up to 10 years in prison and a $176,085 fine.
Macron has not commented publicly on the theft.
The Epoch Times has reached out to the Élysée Palace for comment.
The Élysée Palace theft follows a stunning $102 million jewel heist in broad daylight at the Louvre Museum on Oct. 19.
The robbery at the Louvre was described as “the heist of the century” when suspected thieves used a cherry picker truck to break in through a window, crack display cases, and steal $102 million worth of items before they sped away on motorized scooters.
