The trial of Bernard Squarcini and nine other defendants, from Wednesday November 13 to Friday November 29, at the Paris judicial court, will offer an immersion into the world of influence, nonsense and secret battles between luxury empires. . “Le Squale” – his nickname, in reference to his ability to swim in troubled waters – is suspected of having used his position at the head of the central directorate of internal intelligence (DCRI, the ancestor of the general directorate of security interior, or DGSI) to provide services for the benefit of the luxury group LVMH between 2008 and 2012. He notably mobilized his teams to identify a blackmailer claiming to have photographs of the boss of the luxury group, Bernard Arnault, in company of a person supposed to be his mistress.
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The former head of domestic intelligence is also fired for continuing to use his interpersonal skills in the police and intelligence after his departure from the DCRI, in 2012 – and until his first indictments in this case, in 2016 The information obtained from the civil servants was communicated to the private companies that he advised for remuneration – first and foremost LVMH – but also to the Sarkozy networks. In this multi-layered procedure, he is dismissed on the basis of eleven charges, all of which he contests, including “passive influence peddling” and “compromising national defense secrets”.
The other defendants are mainly former civil servants, some converted to the private sector – police officers, a prefect, the number two at the time of the National Intelligence Council, or even a magistrate. Some responded to Bernard Squarcini's requests after his departure from the DCRI or asked their colleagues to provide information to LVMH. Bernard Arnault's group was particularly concerned about a complaint filed by Hermès for “insider trading” and “price manipulation” after the massive and impromptu entry of the luxury giant into its capital.
Spying by François Ruffin
Other defendants are suspected of having participated in spying on the newspaper Fakir and its founder, François Ruffin, today deputy (various left) for the Somme, while he was preparing his documentary Thanks boss!). A peaceful militant action was to be filmed during the LVMH general meeting in April 2013. It was ultimately foiled by surveillance and infiltration by Fakirwhich will continue until 2016, the year the documentary is broadcast, resulting in more than 400,000 euros in expenses.
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