Woman Jailed for Luxury Thefts and Unpaid Bills

 Society & Scandal

A 51-year-old Russian-Armenian woman living in Beausoleil has been sentenced to six months in prison and banned from entering Monaco for five years after a series of thefts and unpaid bills that together amounted to more than €6,000.

Unemployed and under guardianship, Ms. G. appeared in court escorted by police, accused in two separate cases. The first involved two thefts committed at the end of 2024 — a pink Pagani mink coat worth €5,000 stolen on December 24, and a €1,100 Dolce & Gabbana handbag taken a week later.

CCTV footage and store records led police to identify and arrest her in April 2025 in Monaco. During questioning, she admitted to the thefts, claiming, “The French state is stealing from us,” and “I was forced to get dressed.”

The second case involved smaller acts of fraud. On July 23, 2025, she ordered a €500 round-trip taxi ride and never paid. A few weeks later, on September 17, she ate a €37 meal with wine at Maya Mia restaurant and left without paying. The restaurant manager recognized her, saying, “It’s not the first time she’s done this.” Police quickly located her nearby.

In court, her defiance was constant. She interrupted the judge repeatedly, refused to stand when ordered, and declared, “France is stealing my money,” to justify her actions. The court reminded her she was there to answer for her own crimes. 

Previously convicted in 2023 for theft and already known to police for similar incidents in local shops, Ms. G. was described by the prosecutor as “someone who will never stop.”

Despite her lawyer’s plea for a psychological evaluation and a non-custodial sentence — citing her financial struggles and mental health — the court was unconvinced. “She doesn’t respect the work of others,” said the prosecutor, requesting immediate imprisonment.

The court found her guilty on all counts, sentencing her to six months in prison, issuing an arrest warrant on the spot, and upholding the taxi driver’s claim for €1,000 in damages. Ms. G. was escorted from the courtroom by police to begin serving her sentence.

Fake Aristocrat Jailed in Nice for Scamming Actor Dany Boon out of €7 Million

 Society & Scandal

A Frenchman who posed as an Irish nobleman has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Nice Criminal Court after defrauding beloved French actor Dany Boon of nearly €7 million.

Thierry Fialek-Birles, 36, who called himself Lord Terry Birles of Ireland, was convicted of fraud, forgery, and money laundering in a scam involving fake investments, offshore accounts, and luxury yachts. He also faces a €300,000 fine and a separate money-laundering probe in Monaco.

Fialek-Birles convinced Boon to invest millions in a bogus yacht management company and a non-existent tax-free financial product supposedly tied to the Central Bank of Ireland. After years on the run, he was finally arrested in Panama in 2024 and extradited to France.

The Nice court called the scheme “sophisticated and audacious,” while Monaco’s ongoing investigation aims to uncover whether any of the stolen funds passed through local accounts.

Society & Scandal

There are countless reasons to fall in love with the French Riviera and Monaco. As someone fascinated by sociology, what has captivated me since day one of my arrival in the area is the ever-present sense of mystery—perhaps born from the region’s rich history—that seems to linger just beneath the surface of local society.

From time to time, I’ll be sharing true stories from local news that reveal the drama, intrigue, and sometimes outrageous personalities that make this corner of the world so endlessly enthralling.

These real-life characters, for better or worse, have all contributed to the Riviera’s enduring allure—a place where many people come to pursue their dreams… hopefully in a legal way.

While I’ll resist the temptation of idle gossip, I’ll focus on verified newsworthy stories that highlight the colorful cast of individuals who live in or pass through this region, much like in other parts of the world.

Side note: I originally planned to create a dedicated section for these stories on the site, but since that’s not currently possible, so you’ll find them posted under the subtitle “Society & Scandal.”

Monaco Pushes for Equal Parental Rights in Same-Sex Families

 

Since 2019, Monaco has recognized civil unions for both homosexual and heterosexual couples; however, same-sex marriage remains unrecognized. This legal gap has major implications—especially for children of same-sex couples. One National Council member is now speaking out to demand change.

The introduction of the Common Life Contract (CVC) in 2019 was a symbolic step forward, granting rights in areas such as inheritance and illness. Yet it offers no protection for children within same-sex unions. In Monaco, only the biological parent is legally recognized—leaving the other parent without rights in cases of separation or death.

On October 7, National Council member Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo addressed the issue head-on: “Children’s rights must be protected in all circumstances; this principle is neither negotiable nor conditional.” As President of the Commission for Women’s Rights, Family and Equality, she denounced the “legal loophole” that leaves families vulnerable, calling for reform in the name of equality and child welfare.

Her appeal resonates with local associations like Mon’Arc En Ciel, whose spokesperson Cynthia described the daily impact: “Only the biological mother is recognized. At the nursery, one of us doesn’t exist.” Even family allowances are only paid to the biological mother, despite being calculated on both partners’ incomes.

Fresko-Rolfo is determined to push for solutions—particularly the legalization of adoption for same-sex couples. While the idea of same-sex marriage remains politically untouchable in the Principality, activists hope that continued advocacy through Monaco Pride and Mon’Arc En Ciel will gradually move the country toward greater equality for all families.