Psmall combinations and interpersonal skills. The adventures of “Squale”, Nicolas Sarkozy's ex-spymaster, in the world of big bosses do not have the splendor of those of Georges Smiley, the hero of John le Carré. They will be examined by the Paris criminal court from this Wednesday, November 13 and until November 27.
The former boss of the DCRI will answer to eleven charges, including “influence peddling” and “compromising defense secrets”
Bernard Squarcini, the former boss of the Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI, transformed into the General Directorate of Internal Security, the DGSI, in 2014, the French counter-espionage), will answer for eleven charges, including “abuse of trust”, “influence peddling”, “compromise of defense secrets”. Alongside him, ten other defendants, including police officers, heads of economic intelligence companies, but also a senior LVMH official and a prefect, Pierre Lieutaud, former number 2 of the national intelligence coordinator (CNR). While the former police officer, who benefits from the presumption of innocence, denies having committed crimes, the investigating judges have divided this sprawling case, which extends from 2008 to 2016 and raises suspicion of a habitual practice of misappropriation of means of internal intelligence for private purposes, in four parts.
Episode 1: Bernard Arnault's secret service
At the end of 2008, Bernard Arnault's entourage was in turmoil. In messages addressed to the CEO of LVMH, a man claims to have compromising photos of the billionaire and demands 300,000 euros. Bernard Arnault, undoubtedly anxious to avoid publicity for this affair, did not file a complaint. But, in December, on the orders of Bernard Squarcini, big boss of the very young DCRI, around ten police officers were mobilized to hide in front of Internet cafes and shadow a man suspected of being behind the blackmail. In one week, the counter-spies identified the authors, whose names were delivered to… LVMH. Who will rush to try to resolve the matter internally, involving a former retired divisional commissioner recruited by the multinational.
On site, some police officers wondered about this top secret mission for which the order came “from very high up”
Bernard Squarcini indicated that he had indeed been alerted of an “attempt at destabilization” by Pierre Godé, Bernard Arnault's secretary and number 2 of the group. As for the CEO, he assured that he had never heard of his deputy's initiative. Which will never say the opposite since he died in 2018.
Bernard Squarcini believes he acted within the framework of the DCRI's mission, which includes defending the country's economic interests. But on site, certain police officers experienced in anti-terrorist or counter-espionage missions wondered about this top secret mission whose order came “from very high up” but was not registered anywhere and which more closely resembled the work of a private detective. . The judges shared this astonishment, deploring that “the fundamental interests of the nation do not[aient] could be fully protected during this unofficial mission, part of the staff being busy satisfying private interests.
Episode 2: alleged proximity to Corsican networks
In 2010, the Nanterre public prosecutor's office opened an investigation into the Wagram circle. Like many other Parisian gaming circles, it had been taken over by Corsican organized crime. Bernard Squarcini, who has connections in the Corsican environment, is closely interested in the investigation carried out by his colleagues from the Central Racing and Games Service (SCCJ). He is notably suspected of having sought to avoid a search in his absence of the manager of the bar in the Wagram circle, to which he is close.
“We should infiltrate them,” suggests Pierre Godet to Bernard Squarcini, unaware that his interlocutor is being tapped
Is this why the SCCJ police officer who placed the young woman in custody was wiretapped on Squarcini's orders? Simple investigation linked to suspicions of infiltration by Mossad, Israeli foreign intelligence, replied the former boss of counterspies. The judges were not convinced. Especially since the young woman was then recruited into the private company of Bernard Squarcini.
Episode 3: “Squale” facing “Fakir”
In 2012, the police career of Bernard Squarcini, known to be close to Sarkozy, was not going to resist the change of majority. Like many former “big cops”, he then founded a lucrative security consulting company called Kyrnos. His main client? LVMH, which in a few years will pay him hundreds of thousands of euros for his services.
“You are strong!” You managed to get the national intelligence coordinator to work for your benefit! »
It must be said that since 2013, the multinational's staff has had some concerns about a group of activists formed around the newspaper “Fakir” and its founder, the future deputy François Ruffin, who plans to sow seeds of discord during the general meeting of shareholders. “We should infiltrate them,” suggests Pierre Godé to Bernard Squarcini, unaware that his interlocutor is being tapped. With the help of subcontracting pharmacies, moles are placed within the editorial staff. Internal emails, trombinoscopes… Nothing escapes the men at LVMH and the newspaper project comes to an end. Blown away, Pierre Godé asks for more, without worrying about the legality of the process. Especially since Ruffin, decked out in his “I Love Bernard” t-shirt, is preparing a documentary on the big boss. And no one imagines that the film will be a panegyric! Alas, this time, the surveillance operation will turn into a fiasco and appear at the heart of the activist's documentary entitled “Thank you boss! “.
Episode 4: a tour of “little white guys”
Even after his departure, Bernard Squarcini was right at home in the world of intelligence. The master spy who has become an ace in the scheme does not hesitate to call upon his former colleagues. At the DCRI, a secretary always responds to Squarcini's requests. And there is rarely a former colleague who refuses him the consultation of a secret defense file or the sending of a tip on current cases, or even a note. “You are strong!” You managed to make the CNR work for your benefit! », Exclaims the number 2 of the organization, also unaware that other police officers have placed the “Scale” wiretap.
When leaving the service, Bernard Squarcini had also taken some “souvenirs”: notes on Islamist terrorism but also on the Takieddine, Gaubert affairs… In the spring of 2013, in the middle of the Cahuzac affair, Bernard Squarcini proposed to his Sarkozy friends the transmission of a “little white guy”. This expression designates an unsigned note from the intelligence services, of uncertain reliability. The note, whose confidential nature Bernard Squarcini disputes, alleges that the funds hidden in Switzerland by the Budget Minister were intended to finance Dominique Strauss-Kahn's campaign. Delighted with his catch, the “Squale” also passed it on to Bernard Arnault’s secretary.
LVMH preferred to pay rather than appear
Ten million euros. This is the amount of the fine paid by the LVMH company as part of an agreement entered into with the courts. In this system, the luxury multinational recognized its involvement in certain aspects of the case. But she spared herself the inconvenience of an appearance before the criminal court.
