Chapter 481: Crime of Unknown Source of Huge Property
Mara glanced at the Crown Prince's expression, then glanced at the investigation report in his hand, and said immediately: "Your Highness, please give me some time. If they have really been corrupt, I will definitely be able to find out!"
Joseph heard this, but his brows still didn't relax.
He believed that with Marat's "perseverance" spirit, sooner or later he would be able to find out what happened to those officials - he even found evidence of corruption against the Governor of Poitou - but that would still take too long.
If officials who dare to oppose the abolition of the tax farming system cannot be deterred in the shortest possible time, more people will follow suit and pay to join the ranks of those who oppose them.
After all, no matter how "collapsed" the postal system is, it will only be in chaos for a month at most, so it is necessary to cut through the mess quickly and convict all these 40 people.
For a moment, the idea of asking the Intelligence Agency to fabricate evidence for these people flashed through Joseph's mind.
However, he immediately rejected this idea. Once this kind of precedent is set, it will cause endless harm in the future. Maybe one day the intelligence agency will be able to compile evidence of crimes against the royal family.
It is best to follow accepted political rules to avoid serious side effects.
Joseph subconsciously flipped through the investigation report in his hand, and suddenly noticed that it said that an official from a certain southern province had a total wealth of 50,000 francs, and his position was only a judicial assistant at the city hall, and his monthly salary should not exceed 60 francs, and The family does not have a fief title and obviously does not have any property.
In other words, if this guy had no illegal income, he would have to work without food or drink for 70 years to save this family fortune.
He took office 9 years ago, and Montauban was still a very poor province.
Joseph turned to the next page.
This is the municipal commissioner of Poitiers, with a fortune of more than 120,000 francs. He did have a manor at home, but it could only produce 2,500 francs a year. This manor was bought by his father 17 years ago and was far from being able to contribute this huge amount of property to him.
The situations of the dozen or so people who followed were roughly similar. They all had a lot of money, but they didn't have the property to make so much money.
Joseph couldn't help but narrowed his eyes. The report contains information that investigators can find in a short period of time, so the official's actual assets should be more than this number.
One word immediately came to his mind - the crime of unknown origin of huge amounts of property.
Although it was unrealistic to form this crime into a statute in the 18th century, and the legislative process would be too time-consuming, there was no delay in applying the concepts in investigating the crimes of officials.
You know, the Impartial Investigation Office has interrogation powers. And Mara has never liked bureaucrats. As long as he has a hand, he will definitely not be lenient in interrogation.
Joseph immediately looked at Marat with a smile: "Mr. Marat, have you ever heard of the 'crime of unknown origin of huge amounts of property'?"
"ah?"
…
City of Poitiers.
In an office of the Notary Investigation Bureau, Municipal Commissioner Baron Caston glared angrily at the two investigators in black in front of him, clenched his fists hard and said:
"You dare to summon me without any evidence! I will definitely accuse you to Her Majesty the Queen!"
"Please...please don't be nervous." Desmoulin looked at him calmly, "I...we are just chatting with...you. As for...as for the accusation, that...that is your right."
The Investigation Bureau has been very busy recently. As the second-in-command of the Bureau, he also has to personally participate in interrogation work.
He probably felt that his speaking efficiency was too low, so he winked at the assistant beside him and stepped aside.
The latter immediately took out a piece of information and said in a deep voice to Baron Caston: "Your family property exceeds 120,000 francs, right?" "What does this have to do with you?!"
Desmoulin's assistant seemed to be thinking about himself and said: "You previously served as assistant to the financial officer and trade commissioner, and were promoted to municipal commissioner four years ago. We have calculated that all your salaries over the years add up to a total of It’s 7820 francs.”
Cas Tong said disdainfully: "So?"
"Since the purchase of your manor, the total income should be 37,000 francs. You have rented out the property in the east of the city, and the rent has totaled 4,000 francs over the years. You have written articles for "Life and Salon", and the total royalties are …”
"..."
"Your wife and children have no income. Your wife brought a dowry of 2,000 francs that year. Do you think I missed anything else?"
Castan just sneered and seemed too lazy to pay attention to him.
"So your total income since birth is 51,000 francs." Desmoulin's assistant read the information mechanically, "And your family's living expenses include purchasing the property where you currently live, daily food and clothing, Spending at the club, and... at least 18,000 francs.
"In other words, your assets should be 33,000 francs. But the property in your name exceeds 120,000 francs."
He suddenly leaned close to Castor, with the tip of his nose almost touching the latter's face: "So, where did the extra 87,000 francs come from?"
"How...extra?" Cas Tong was immediately confused by the question, because he had never heard of such an interrogation.
He became a little nervous: "It's... the legacy left to me by my father."
"You lied! Your inheritance tax paid a total of 720 livres, which means you inherited less than 10,000 livres."
"Oh, I remembered. I invested in my friend's business and got the dividends."
"Okay, what's his name, where does he live, and what is his business?"
"..." Cas Tong couldn't make it up at all, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "How about I just have money? Those are all given to me by some friends who admire me!"
Desmoulin on the side suddenly smiled: "Yes... who gave you money?"
"None of your business!"
"Of course it's none of my business," Desmoulins said loudly, "Giving money to an official for no reason is... this is a bribe!"
Caston was interrogated for two days and two nights. Desmoulins then applied to the High Court for a two-day extension. Joseph's side had already ordered the court through the Royal High Court, so all such applications were quickly approved.
Although Caston was a noble, the investigators, who were mainly Jacobins, disliked nobles the most, so in addition to direct beatings, they used methods such as coercion and intimidation to deprive him of sleep.
Finally, on the afternoon of the next day, Kastun couldn't stand it anymore and began to confess the corruption.
In many movies and TV dramas, there are plots where criminals have extremely strong psychological qualities and refuse to admit their crimes when faced with interrogation. But in fact, most people cannot survive even half a day in the interrogation room, and their psychological defenses will collapse.
In particular, Desmoulins focused on the issue of "source of property" and attacked Caston even if he wanted to.
At the same time, similar situations were unfolding across France. Investigators from the Notary Bureau of Investigation had a bumper harvest.
(End of chapter)