The billionaire managed to avoid trial and hide $ 156 billion in the shadow of the special services.
In France, the trial of Bernard Scarsini, the former head of the country's internal intelligence, has begun. Scarsini is accused of passing classified information to Bernard Arnault, the owner of LVMH, the largest manufacturer of premium goods brands Louis Vuitton and Moët et Chandon.
Bernard Scarsini, known by the nickname "The Shark" for his stealth abilities, was in charge of Domestic Intelligence (DCRI, now DGSI) from 2008 to 2012 during the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy. The charges relate to both Scarsini's activities in office and his work after his resignation in 2012, when he created the private agency Kyrnos Conseil, which signed contracts with LVMH worth €2 million. Among the charges: disclosure of state secrets, forgery of documents, abuse of budget funds and influence peddling.
Scarsini is suspected of spying on journalist François Ruffin. Ruffen directed the documentary "Thank You, Boss!" in 2016. The film showed how a family of workers lost their jobs after one of LVMH's suppliers moved production abroad. The story caused a resonance, casting a shadow on Arno's reputation.
The trial covers a wide range of charges. Scarsini allegedly obtained documents in 2013 on a lawsuit by Hermès, which was in conflict with LVMH. The former head of the French criminal police, who had already been sentenced to a suspended sentence and a fine, participated in the transfer of documents.
Other defendants in court include former high-ranking intelligence official Pierre Liota and former judge of the Paris Court of Appeal Laurent Marcadier. Bernard Arnault himself, whose fortune is estimated at $ 156 billion, is not a defendant in the case. In 2021, LVMH paid a €10 million fine, avoiding further litigation.
Scarsini insists that his actions were dictated by the interests of national security, since the protection of Arnault and his business was considered important for the country's economy. However, the judges stressed that the activities of the defendant caused damage to state interests and the reputation of French intelligence.
François Ruffin's lawyers are confident that the trial will help find out how LVMH could afford to spy on the journalist and interfere in the work of the media, using the former intelligence chief. The question remains how the company managed to avoid trial, leaving responsibility to Scarsini and the other defendants.
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In France, the trial of Bernard Scarsini, the former head of the country's internal intelligence, has begun. Scarsini is accused of passing classified information to Bernard Arnault, the owner of LVMH, the largest manufacturer of premium goods brands Louis Vuitton and Moët et Chandon.
Bernard Scarsini, known by the nickname "The Shark" for his stealth abilities, was in charge of Domestic Intelligence (DCRI, now DGSI) from 2008 to 2012 during the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy. The charges relate to both Scarsini's activities in office and his work after his resignation in 2012, when he created the private agency Kyrnos Conseil, which signed contracts with LVMH worth €2 million. Among the charges: disclosure of state secrets, forgery of documents, abuse of budget funds and influence peddling.
Scarsini is suspected of spying on journalist François Ruffin. Ruffen directed the documentary "Thank You, Boss!" in 2016. The film showed how a family of workers lost their jobs after one of LVMH's suppliers moved production abroad. The story caused a resonance, casting a shadow on Arno's reputation.
The trial covers a wide range of charges. Scarsini allegedly obtained documents in 2013 on a lawsuit by Hermès, which was in conflict with LVMH. The former head of the French criminal police, who had already been sentenced to a suspended sentence and a fine, participated in the transfer of documents.
Other defendants in court include former high-ranking intelligence official Pierre Liota and former judge of the Paris Court of Appeal Laurent Marcadier. Bernard Arnault himself, whose fortune is estimated at $ 156 billion, is not a defendant in the case. In 2021, LVMH paid a €10 million fine, avoiding further litigation.
Scarsini insists that his actions were dictated by the interests of national security, since the protection of Arnault and his business was considered important for the country's economy. However, the judges stressed that the activities of the defendant caused damage to state interests and the reputation of French intelligence.
François Ruffin's lawyers are confident that the trial will help find out how LVMH could afford to spy on the journalist and interfere in the work of the media, using the former intelligence chief. The question remains how the company managed to avoid trial, leaving responsibility to Scarsini and the other defendants.
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