#Anti-bribery and Corruption:
Fight against corruption: Trump reverses course
The President of the United States has issued an executive order dated 10 February suspending investigations opened on the basis of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) relating to bribes that may have been paid by American companies for obtaining contracts abroad, as well as the sanctions that may have handed. The aim is to prioritise the economic interests and competitiveness of the United States over other nations. New guidelines for the implementation of the FCPA will be taken that may annul sanctions and compensate sanctioned companies. > Read article
#Financial Markets Authority (AMF) litigation:
Lysogene case: AMF asks that a fine of 1.4 million euros be taken against the founder of the former biotech company and her entourage
Karen Aiach, director of the biotech company Lysogene, is accused of having passed on insider information on 10 February 2021 to her ex-husband, Gad Aiach, regarding the imminent approval by the Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) of clinical studies for a drug developed by the company. The Autorité des marchés financiers (“AMF”) has requested that a total fine of 1.4 million euros be taken against Karen Aiach, her ex-husband and his friends and ex-girlfriend, who made significant capital gains on investments related to Lysogene shares. > Read article
#White collar crime:
Nestlé mineral water fraud: a judicial investigation launched
On Thursday 13 February, the Paris Court launched a judicial investigation into the treatment of mineral water, following the complaints lodged in September 2024 against X for “fraud” by the consumer defence association Foodwatch. Nestlé Waters had admitted using prohibited treatments of its mineral water, which it had informed the French authorities of. These revelations led to the opening of a Senate inquiry in November 2024. The Swiss company has already paid a fine of two million euros under a judicial public interest agreement (“CJIP”) in 2024 to avoid prosecution in this matter. The Paris public prosecutor has specified that the investigating judge will have to examine the implications of this fine to comply with the non bis in idem principle. > Read article
#Ethics & Compliance:
Air France CEO announces tougher action against sexual violence after Radio France revelations
The CEO of Air France announced “a series of measures to strengthen the fight against sexist and sexual violence in her company” after cases of harassment and sexist and sexual aggression have been revealed by Radio France. These measures include the strengthening of a prevention and support system for victims, which would be strengthened by developing training on gender-based and sexual violence and the creation of a department dedicated to the fight against discrimination and harassment within the human resources department. >Read article
