The Paris tribunal correctionnel on 1 July sentenced celebrity-photo broker Michèle “Mimi” Marchand to 18 months in prison, fully suspended, for blackmailing television presenter Karine Le Marchand. The court also imposed a €25,000 fine. Judges found that Marchand, 78, used her Bestimage paparazzi network to pressure the M6 host in 2020, claiming she had blocked the sale of photos showing Le Marchand’s under-age daughter leaving police custody. Marchand admitted lying about paying a third-party photographer and accepted €1,600 from the presenter after promising to suppress the images. The panel ordered Marchand to reimburse that €1,600 and pay a further €1,500 for moral prejudice. The sentence exceeds the one-year suspended term and €20,000 fine sought by prosecutors. Marchand’s lawyer said she will appeal, arguing the elements of extortion were not met.