The Loubavitch Youth Association, a French branch of Beth Lubavitch, a Jewish Orthodox movement, has been under investigation in Paris since August for “breach of trust”, “hidden work” and “fraud”, AFP learned on Wednesday from the prosecution, confirming information from the Mediapart information site.
The Paris prosecutor’s office also confirmed to AFP that it had entrusted the investigations to the Brigade for the repression of astute delinquency.
In its article, Mediapart affirms that “several reports have been sent in recent months to the General Directorate of Public Finance, the Labor Inspectorate and the Paris prosecutor’s office”, targeting the practices of the management of the association.
Its structures, including educational establishments or crèches, receive public subsidies.
The online information site evokes a “system of overbilling so that the three crèches managed by the association can receive more subsidies from the Family Allowance Fund (CAF)”, but also the “doubtful conditions” of the president’s remuneration of the association, Mendel Azimov.
Mediapart also claims that a system has been put in place to allow Beth Lubavitch delegates to use “donations from the faithful” for “personal expenses”.
Finally, Mr. Azimov would have asked several officials of schools managed by the association not to declare cases of Covid-19 among children to avoid closures.
Contacted by AFP, Mr. Azimov denounced “unfounded and slanderous allegations”, “in a context of recurring destabilization of the Association”.
“Complaints have already been filed, but unfortunately the perpetrators have not been identified,” he also assured.
The action of Jeunesse Loubavitch “has always been part of the respect of laws and social regulations”, he still assures.
Lubavitch communities are characterized by mystical piety, careful ritual observance and strong proselytism.
In France, the movement manages many crèches or schools – it claims “15,000 children enrolled in its schools” -, particularly in the Paris region.