In court, it is sometimes better to appear ignorant of everyday details. This Thursday morning, Bernard Arnault, boss of LVMH, cited as a witness in the trial of former head of domestic intelligence Bernard Squarcini, was tempted to make this adage his own.
Certainly, the billionaire does not risk much against the judges of the Paris criminal court. The signing in 2023 of a judicial agreement of public interest (CJIP) in exchange for the payment of a fine of 10 million euros has definitively removed the prospect of a trial for the luxury multinational. From there to conclude, as Bernard Arnault did before a parliamentary commission, that the group had nothing to do with the affair, there is perhaps a world of difference, as LVMH appears to be the main beneficiary of the multiple charade accused of the former spymaster and a dozen former police officers converted to the private sector.
“I was never notified”
Like this setting in motion the Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI) to find a possible blackmailer who boasted of having compromising photos of the boss of LVMH. For the investigating magistrates, the mission was more of a private detective than of the elite of counter-spies. The request was made by Pierre Godet, number 2 at LVMH, to Bernard Squarcini, who then headed the DCRI.
“I was never informed of this blackmail,” swears Bernard Arnault. “How can we understand that your right arm could have kept you in ignorance? » chokes President Benjamin Blanchet. “We should ask him the question,” says the CEO, who is obviously aware that Pierre Godet died in December 2018. “He had complete responsibility for the security of the group,” assures Bernard Arnault.
Squarcini affair: the “Squale”, like a fish at LVMH
Nicknamed “Squale”, the former head of internal intelligence will appear for ten days before the Paris criminal court. He is notably accused of various swindling operations in the service of LVMH and its powerful CEO Bernard Arnault, then battling a documentarian named… François Ruffin
It was Pierre Godet who made the link with Bernard Squarcini, who had converted to private security, when LVMH felt under threat from a group of activists led by François Ruffin, then a documentary filmmaker and owner of the newspaper “Fakir”. . Bernard Squarcini is being prosecuted for having subcontracted an infiltration operation to prevent François Ruffin and his friends from being invited to the LVMH General Meeting of Shareholders.
“Have you already met François Ruffin? » asks the president. “Is he there?” » asks the decidedly ill-informed billionaire. “Behind you. » “Behind me?” » The deputy for Somme, on the bench of the civil parties cuts: “Yes, hello Mr. Arnault! » It is to the elected official that Bernard Arnault owes it to spending his morning in court… “Do you know that he was clandestinely photographed with his children? » questions the judge. “I regret, it’s not good,” replies the CEO, swearing again to have received no information from the inexhaustible Pierre Godet and blurting out in passing that he found the documentary “Thank you Boss!” » which is dedicated to him.
But kindnesses only last for a while. And faced with questions from the civil parties, the billionaire almost loses his composure. “Ruffin is trying to use me to promote himself and sell his books because politically, he is on the verge of disaster. Don't let him count on me! », explodes Bernard Arnault.
“It’s stupid”
In action, Me Sarfati, François Ruffin's lawyer, inquires about Bernard Arnault's relations with the press. In question, the testimony of investigative journalist Tristan Waleckx reporting “pressure” during the filming of a portrait of the CEO for “Complément d’Enquête” who, at the end of an interview, allegedly received a threatening: “ You should be wary because we have elements. » “How did you get these items?” » asks the lawyer. “I have no memory of what you are telling me,” snaps Bernard Arnault. “The sequence was recorded,” says the lawyer. He pushes, evoking a shadowing of a “Télématin” team in Bordeaux which would have been taken for journalists from “Complément d’investigation” by a private security team. “Is it normal when you are LVMH to organize surveillance of public service journalists? » The witness gets annoyed again: “It's stupid, I prefer not to respond to these rantings. »
“Do you remember making solemn commitments in terms of job preservation when you took over Boussac? » continues Me Sarfati. “I said I was going to restart the band, that's what I did, so stop your nonsense. » “My question was about preserving jobs…” “I am not answering that question. All the workers in my group are very happy. » Before blurting out, visibly beside himself: “What I recommend to Ruffin is to take a more synthetic lawyer. » “Unfortunately for him, he doesn't have your means for that,” replies the man in the black robe.
Four years suspended prison sentence required against Bernard Squarcini
This Thursday evening, the prosecution requested four years of suspended imprisonment and a fine of 300,000 euros against the former head of domestic intelligence, Bernard Squarcini. In this controversial affair, the prosecutor demanded sentences ranging from four months to two years in prison against nine other men, accompanied, depending on the case, by fines of up to 100,000 euros.
