Julia Simon Admits Theft in Fraud Case – NRK Sport

In 2022, Simon was reported for abusing Braisaz-Bouchet’s credit card for online shopping for between 1,000 and 2,000 Euros, which is around NOK 12-24,000.

It happened during France’s stay in Norway for the Blink Festival in August, but the matter only became known in July 2023. In the autumn it became known that the investigators believe Simon must also have defrauded two other people.

The 29-year-old has claimed her innocence throughout, and has previously explained the accusations by saying that she herself must have been the victim of identity theft. On Friday morning, she arrived at the court in Albertville on Friday morning together with his lawyer Christian Borel, but did not make any statements to the press, writes Le Dauphiné Libéré.

On Friday afternoon, she explained herself in court. When asked about theft, she replied:

– I acknowledge the facts, she replied, writes Le Dauphiné Libéré in its live reporting.

– Can’t explain it

The newspaper writes that the indictment includes five points:

Fraud 2 December 2021 in Östersund, Sweden.
Fraud from 5-11 August 2022 in Villard-sur-Doron, France and Sandnes, Norway
Theft from 5-7 August 2022 in Sandnes.
Fraud from 22–25. September 2022 in Premanon, France.
Attempted fraud from 22–25 September in Premanon, France.

During the hearing, Simon says, according to Le Dauphiné Libéré, that she panicked.

– I can’t explain it. I can’t see myself committing the acts, Simon is quoted as saying, as well as apologizing.

– There is no financial motivation behind my actions. Today I’m taking it one day at a time, because standing in front of you will have consequences for my career. It was ridiculous and stupid, because I didn’t need to.

The prosecutor also allegedly asked her to explain why she had pictures of Braisaz-Bouchet’s bank card.

– I have a kind of blackout, answered Simon.

Justine Braisaz-Bouchet was not present in court, and her lawyer Sarah Pereira explained that it was because the situation is difficult. Simon explained that attempts were made to reach an agreement on settlement and feedback, but the case ended up in court instead.

The prosecutor then asked for a sentence of two months’ suspended imprisonment and a fine of 20,000 Euros.

According to the French media, Simon risks being banned and thus losing the Olympics in February if she is found guilty.

On a team together

When the investigation was over earlier this autumn, the French Ski Federation issued a statement. There it emerged that the case had been referred to the union’s disciplinary committee, but that the deferred processing of the case had already been processed in the legal system.

The two athletes have continued to be on the French national team together. Both have stated that they have a professional relationship.

“The legal and disciplinary nature of this case has led to the association taking all necessary measures to protect the interests of the athletes, the sporting management and the inner life of the team. For two years, the association, together with the management of the French national biathlon team, has ensured that this matter does not interfere with the athletes’ individual sporting projects and the team’s collective function,” the press release said.

In the WC in Switzerland in February, Simon won four gold medals, three of them in the relay. Last weekend she took part in the show race Loop One in Munich, but she did not make it to the final. After the race, she refrained from going through the press zone.