The investigation was opened for “active and passive corruption and/or extortion and illegal exercise of the teaching profession,” said the prosecution, confirming information from Le Parisien.
The investigations were entrusted to the economic crime repression brigade (BRDE).
The Paris town hall had sent a report on August 2 “on questionable actions reproachable to those involved on some of its tennis courts”, underlined the prosecution.
According to the municipality, questioned by AFP, the sports agents previously stationed at the Henri-de-Montherlant complex, located in Paris (16th arrondissement), are suspended until December.
An investigation by the general inspectorate of the City of Paris has been underway since the beginning of September, and could last around two months. She is interested in all the courts, but particular attention to the 7th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 11th and 12th arrondissements.
Le Parisien revealed in July the existence of a system of bribes which would be paid to city agents by tennis teachers so that the latter could give private lessons on municipal courts.
Since 2004, only sports associations have been authorized to provide tennis lessons on municipal courts.
“No tennis lessons can be given in an individual slot reserved on (the) Paris Tennis application, under penalty of sanction (temporary or permanent exclusion from Parisian tennis courts),” warns the City on its website.
To get around this ban, private teachers would pay money so that the guards who are supposed to control them turn a blind eye, according to Le Parisien.
“This black market (represented) nearly 25,000 euros per month, shared between teachers and guards” in one of the sports complexes with seven tennis courts, according to the newspaper.
