Vinexpo boss denies assault, files own complaint

Vinexpo boss Robert Beynat has denied a senior colleague assaulted a competitor and claims that rival show organiser, Anna Serio, was responsible for the attack.

Beynat said the matter was in ‘the hands of the law’ and that official complaints had been filed for ‘parasitism’ – a French law that prevents businesses taking advantage of a competitor with a higher standing.

Anna Serio had organised a tasting event called Italissima at the Novotel, close to the Vinexpo site. She accused Vinexpo of impounding her wine, and said marketing director Jean-Francois Ley had assaulted her.

Beynat also told decanter.com today that Serio was responsible for the altercation between herself and Ley.

‘She was the one to attack,’ he said. He added that Ley suffered scratches and bruising to his face.

He said the matter was, ‘now in the hands of the law’.

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Written by Oliver Styles in Bordeaux