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Over 240 women have accused a former senior human resources manager at the French Ministry of Culture of secretly adding diuretics to tea and coffee during job interviews in France between 2011 and 2019. The civil servant forced candidates to endure long walks without restroom access, causing physical and psychological trauma.
Christian Negre, who worked as a senior human resources manager at the French Ministry of Culture from 2011 to 2019, is accused of secretly adding strong, illegal diuretics to tea and coffee served to female job candidates.
The substance reportedly caused an urgent need to urinate, which Negre allegedly exploited by conducting interviews in locations with limited or no restroom access.
Some victims reported intense dizziness, shaking, and heart palpitations. Several said they were unable to reach a restroom in time, while others had to relieve themselves in public. These incidents reportedly caused not only physical distress but also significant psychological trauma.
Several women shared their experiences with international media. Sylvie Delezenne, 45, told The Guardian she experienced shaking, sweating, and heart palpitations after drinking the beverage and felt unable to defend herself.
These testimonies suggest the acts were planned and systematic. They indicate a recurring pattern rather than isolated incidents.
In 2018, a colleague reported to the police that Negre had attempted to photograph female candidates' legs secretly. During a search, authorities found a file titled “Experiments”, detailing each case, including dates, drink types, dosages, and victims' reactions. Some entries included photos.
The file suggested that the incidents were planned and systematic, not isolated. Some victims confirmed their names were listed and details recorded. This discovery broadened the investigation and laid the groundwork for potential criminal proceedings.
Official records indicate that over 240 women claimed to have been subjected to this type of harassment. Human rights organizations emphasized that this was not just an individual crime but a reflection of systemic abuse enabled by organizational power imbalances and lack of oversight.
Some victims said the psychological pressure and shame forced them to abandon job searches and career ambitions, highlighting the long-term social and professional impact of the incidents.
The case has sparked debate in France over accountability for senior civil servants and bureaucratic immunity. Legal experts warned that networks accessible to high-ranking officials can slow investigations and judicial proceedings.
Claire Martineau, a lawyer from the French National Bar Association, told France Info: “If these allegations are proven, this is not only an individual crime but also a question of systemic power protection within the administration.”
Women’s rights group Osez le Feminisme told Le Monde that the long delay in detecting similar cases reflected structural oversight failures.
They emphasized that multiple victims sharing similar experiences demonstrate not an isolated case but a systematic abuse of power.
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