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French Civil Servant Drugging Scandal Exposes Systemic Failures

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French former civil servant Christian Nègre faces allegations of drugging over 100 women between 2009 and 2018, using diuretics slipped into drinks during job interviews. The former Culture Ministry HR director admitted to drugging "10 or 20" women in 2019 but has yet to stand trial, despite prosecutors formally accusing him of multiple crimes including administering harmful substances.

Police discovered a spreadsheet labeled "Experiments P" listing 181 women Nègre interviewed and allegedly drugged. Seven women described their traumatic experiences, including sudden, severe urination during interviews conducted outdoors. Most suffered physical and psychological consequences, with some experiencing long-term health issues and career impacts.

At least 10 women have filed lawsuits against the French state for failing to detect systematic abuse by a senior official. The case has drawn comparisons to the Gisèle Pelicot scandal and sparked criticism of France's justice system in handling large-scale abuse cases. Nègre was fired in October 2018 after being reported for taking inappropriate photos of a woman during a meeting.