A Paris court has convicted Bernard Squarcini, ex-intelligence chief of France, for misusing state resources to aid LVMH. His sentence includes jail time and substantial fines after he was found guilty of orchestrating an illegal surveillance operation against a journalist.
Former French Intelligence Chief Sentenced for Colluding with LVMH in Illegal Surveillance
Former French Intelligence Chief Sentenced for Colluding with LVMH in Illegal Surveillance
Bernard Squarcini receives a four-year prison sentence for his role in an unauthorized spying operation on a journalist at the behest of LVMH.
Former French intelligence chief, Bernard Squarcini, has been sentenced by a Paris court for his role in a scandal involving illegal surveillance tied to the luxury conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Squarcini, who led France's intelligence services from 2008 to 2012, was found guilty of leveraging public resources to benefit the company, which sought to protect its reputation.
After departing from his official capacity, Squarcini was employed as a security advisor by LVMH, where he reportedly overstepped his authority on multiple occasions. The court imposed a four-year prison sentence, divided into two years in custody and two years suspended, along with a hefty fine of 200,000 euros (approximately 217,000 dollars). Following the verdict, his legal representation signaled intentions to contest the ruling.
Central to the trial was a bizarre surveillance initiative aimed at French journalist François Ruffin, who began producing an unflattering documentary about LVMH and its influential CEO, Bernard Arnault, in 2012. While LVMH itself faced no charges, the courtroom drama escalated when Judge Pierre Huyghe invited Arnault to provide testimony. During his appearance, Arnault emphasized his identity as a successful business figure, credited with transforming LVMH into the leading luxury brand portfolio totaling 75 brands and employing around 200,000 individuals globally. He firmly denied any knowledge of illegal surveillance activities.
Squarcini was tried alongside several others, including civil officials and law enforcement personnel, with two co-defendants acquitted. The trial underscored the intricate nexus between business interests and governmental power in France. As the dust settles, the implications of this case may reverberate through the corridors of power and the corporate world alike.
