#White collar crime:
Suspicions of favoritism at Caisse des Dépôts : ex-CEO Augustin de Romanet facing one-year prison sentence
Augustin de Romanet, CEO of Aéroports de Paris, and Jean-Pierre Jouyet, former Secretary-General of the Élysée, are facing charges of favoritism and embezzlement of public funds in connection with contracts awarded to the companies owned by criminologist Alain Bauer. The prosecution has requested sentences of up to three years in prison, including two years of “sursis”, and fines of up to €375,000. These contracts, signed between 2008 and 2014 for over €1 million, are alleged to have been awarded without competitive bidding and lacking transparency. Alain Bauer also faces a five-year ban from public procurement. The defense arguments are ongoing. > Read article
Slovenia’s PM rejects corruption charges before anti-graft commission
In November 2023, Slovenia’s Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK) initiated an investigation against Slovenia’s Prime Minister, Robert Golob over suspected integrity violations. Although the investigation was initially suspended due to technical issues, it was later resumed. The former Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar accused Golob of pressuring her to interfere in police personnel appointments, which she reported to the authorities. Golob rejected these allegations, claiming the process was politically motivated. After testifying behind closed doors before the anti-corruption commission, he denied any involvement in corruption related to the police complaints. The prosecutor’s office must now decide whether to drop the charges or initiate legal proceedings. > Read article
#Ethics and Compliance:
Free: 2,2 million euros fine for deceptive commercial practice
Following an investigation by the DGCCRF, Free Mobile has agreed to pay a fine of €2.2 million as part of a settlement, with the approval of the Prosecutor of the Paris Judicial Court, involving a 2,2 million euros fine for deceptive business practice. This practice involves the cancellation of mobile phone orders placed by customers, without issuing refunds them within a reasonable timeframe. In addition to the fine, Free Mobile has committed to ending these deceptive practices and removing a compensation clause from its terms and conditions. > Read article
UBS Case: French Subsidiary on Trial for Harassment of Two Whistleblowers
On Tuesday 2 December, the trial against UBS France opened before the Paris Criminal Court. The company is accused of having harassed, between 2008 and 2010, two employees who blew the whistle on the group’s illegal practices, subject to another case. The French branch of the Swiss bank is also being prosecuted, in this trial expected to last until 12 December 2024, for witness tampering and obstructing the Health, Safety and Working Conditions Committee (CHSCT). UBS denies any wrongdoing. > Read article
#Export control & International sanctions:
Inter-island air transport in the Caribbean: The French Competition Authority sanctions a cartel between the airlines Air Antilles and Air Caraïbes
The French Competition Authority imposed a fine of €14,570,000 on Air Antilles, Air Caraïbes, and the company Miles Plus for anti-competitive practices (2015-2019) n the inter-island air transport market in the Caribbean. The collusion between the companies coordinated prices, reduced flight frequencies, and shared time slots, leading to higher prices and negatively impacting a captive customer base. These practices worsened the cost of living and hindered the region’s economic and tourist development. Due to its liquidation, Air Antilles was not directly fined, but its parent company, K Finance, was sanctioned with a €1.5 million fine. Air Caraïbes and Miles Plus were fined €13 million and €70,000, respectively. > Read article
