Star architect François Valentiny’s office took Schengen mayor Michel Gloden and aldermen Tom Weber and Jean-Paul Muller to court for defamation over cancelled contracts for public buildings. All three were acquitted of the charges this week.
As for a fourth defendant, a municipal engineer accused of defamation and conflict of interest with regard to the architect, the court ruled the complaint inadmissible. The engineer’s requested compensation was not granted.
The case, which went to trial for five days, dates back to a decision made by Schengen council in summer 2023 to cancel the contracts they had signed with the Valentiny office to build a school in Remerschen. The contracts were said to have been terminated due to differences of opinion and a bad atmosphere, according to the local politicians. However, as the decision was announced during a public council session and subsequently covered by the media, the architect’s office said the matter had tainted both Valentiny’s reputation and that of his associates.
The office now has 40 days to appeal the court’s decision.
Mayor Gloden’s lawyer, Philippe Penning, said the acquittal is an important message sent to those involved in their communities.
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