Florent Montaclair, a French literature professor, is under investigation for allegedly orchestrating a complex hoax involving a fake Nobel-style prize in philology. The case has captivated authorities, who describe it as a "gigantic hoax" worthy of a film script.
The Alleged Scheme
Montaclair, 46, is accused of inventing the International Society of Philology and its Gold Medal of Philology, which he awarded to himself in 2016 at a ceremony in the French National Assembly. The event was attended by Nobel laureates, former ministers, and other dignitaries. However, investigators claim the society never existed, its affiliated American university was a fabrication, and the medal was purchased from a Paris jeweler for €250.
Promotion and Recognition
Prosecutors allege Montaclair used the fake medal and a bogus doctorate from the same university to secure a promotion and pay rise at the Marie and Louis Pasteur University in Besançon. He was subsequently promoted to associate professor in 2018, despite the qualifications not being recognized in France.
Unraveling the Hoax
The scheme began to unravel after Montaclair awarded the medal to Romanian academic Eugen Simion in 2018. Romanian journalists from Scena9 investigated and discovered that the university and society existed only through websites created in France. Their article, titled "The fake Nobel prize that duped the Romanian Academy," sparked the official inquiry.
Legal Consequences
Montaclair is being investigated for forgery, use of forged documents, impersonation, and fraud. He denies any criminality, arguing that since the genuine medal does not exist, his medal cannot be a forgery. His lawyer, Jean-Baptiste Euvrard, claims inventing an award is not a crime and that his client was "overwhelmed by what he created."
Prosecutor's Perspective
Public prosecutor Paul-Édouard Lallois noted that Montaclair admitted ordering the medal and creating websites but denied wrongdoing. Lallois stated, "All roads lead back to Monsieur Montaclair," and emphasized that the hoax had concrete implications, including professional recognition and a promotion. He added that Montaclair may have "believed his own lie."
Broader Impact
The case has also affected others, including intellectual Noam Chomsky, who traveled to Paris in 2016 to receive the award. Montaclair faces up to five years in prison if convicted. His university has also initiated suspension proceedings, which he plans to appeal.
