In a high-profile trial that exposed the depths of corporate influence in France, Bernard Squarcini, the ex-intelligence chief, was convicted on Friday for his role in supporting the luxury conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. The court determined Squarcini had misused his public office, leading to a sentence comprising two years in prison, two years under house arrest, and an additional two years suspended, alongside a hefty fine of 200,000 euros (approximately $217,000).
The scandal traced back to an operation where Squarcini facilitated the unauthorized surveillance of journalist François Ruffin, who was making an unflattering documentary about LVMH and its CEO, Bernard Arnault, in 2012. Although LVMH was not a direct defendant, the trial revealed the company's desperate attempts to protect its image.
The proceedings took an unexpected turn when Arnault was summoned to testify, where he characterized himself as a legitimate business figure, oblivious to any illegal activities associated with his company. Under his leadership, LVMH expanded significantly, growing from 10,000 employees in the 1980s to 200,000 today.
Squarcini faced trial alongside nine others, including civil servants and police officials, with two co-defendants acquitted. His lawyer announced intentions to appeal the ruling, maintaining that justice was not served.
