“The Thugs’ Lawyer” David Metaxas, a Lyon criminal lawyer specializing in organized crime cases, was charged with serial rape and sexual harassment committed in a position of authority after three days in police custody, the Chambery prosecutor announced this Friday, November 21.
Six “possible victim” is “which is intended in the context of an investigation”, determined judge Xavier Sicot in a press release. According to regional daily Progress, Some of them are former interns in his office. Lawyer at the Lyon bar, David Metaxas was placed in police custody on Monday 17 November as part of an investigation that was moved to Chambery.
After several prolongations of this action, he was indicted “rape committed by a person who has authority over the victim and together with them”, involving multiple victims, but also attempted rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment, according to the judge. He was placed under judicial supervision, “in accordance with the request of the prosecutor” and the judicial investigation continues, explained Xavier Sicot.
His lawyer, Me Alain Jakubowicz – with whom Metaxas began his career in the 2000s, and who has defended him in previous cases – did not want to talk.
David Metaxas, 49, is a well-known figure in Lyon bars for his sometimes provocative style and his taste in the media. As the head of a firm called The Firm which refers to the famous thriller film by John Grisham and the film of the same name by Sydney Pollack, he received this nickname“thug lawyer” for his defense against several members of organized crime.
He is primarily an adviser to alleged Calabrian mafia member Edgardo Greco, 65, who was arrested in Saint-Etienne in February 2023 after 17 years on the run and for whom he is raising calls for his release.
This isn’t his first brush with the law. Indicted in 2012 for concealing a breach of professional secrecy in the corruption case of Lyon’s former number 2 judicial police officer – and his long-time friend -, Michel Neyret, Me Metaxas was acquitted during a trial in 2016.
