#Criminal tax law:

A VAT fraud network dismantled in Europe, 520 million euros seized

According to a judicial source, an “organized criminal group aimed at VAT fraud within the IT product trade and laundering its profits”, in which the Italian mafia was allegedly involved, has been dismantled. As part of the investigation, around forty arrest warrants were issued and the amount of fraudulent invoices was estimated at 1.3 billion euros. Searches and seizures are underway in different European countries as well as in Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. A Milan judge ordered the preventive seizure of assets and funds totalling more than 520 million euros. > Read article

#White collar crime:

People & Baby private nurseries: Paris Prosecutor’s Office Opens Investigation Following Anticor Complaint

On 18 November, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office announced the opening of an investigation into the private nurseries group People & Baby, following a complaint filed by the Anticor association. This complaint notably alleges acts of fraud, embezzlement of public funds, misuse of corporate assets, breach of trust, and complicity in tax fraud, potentially involving public funds allocated to public service missions. According to Anticor, the facts revealed in the book Les Ogres by journalist Victor Castanet, published in September, highlight alleged fraudulent practices in the management of public aid, including an estimated fraud of €2.1 million related to partial unemployment assistance. In response, People & Baby, under new management since the spring, stated that the facts described in the book “no longer reflect its current values”. The group claims to have undertaken a “profound transformation”, promising independent audits and transparency to address identified malfunctions. The investigation has been entrusted to the judicial police since November 14. > Read article

The National Financial Prosecutor’s Office requests a trial on corruption charges against Rachida Dati and Carlos Ghosn

The French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) has requested a trial against Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture and former Minister of Justice, and Carlos Ghosn, former Renault-Nissan executive, for alleged corruption and influence peddling. Rachida Dati is suspected of having received 900,000 euros from the RNBV subsidiary of Renault-Nissan between 2010 and 2012, without any real counterpart. The investigation sought to determine whether any lobbying activities in the European Parliament, forbidden to all elected representatives, had been committed. Carlos Ghosn, currently living in Lebanon, faces an international arrest warrant for various charges, including abuse of power and breach of trust. Both parties strongly deny the charges. Rachida Dati has denounced a biased view of the affair, calling it “an instrumentalization of this affair by [her] political opponents in defiance of all principles”. The investigating judge will have to decide whether or not to refer them to the criminal court, based on the evidence in the case. > Read article

UK and French investigations into alleged corruption at Thales

The UK and French authorities, through the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Parquet National Financier (PNF), have launched a joint investigation into alleged corruption within the high-technology group Thales. Coordinated by Eurojust, this investigation focuses primarily on an arms contract in Asia and differs from previous proceedings involving the group. These include investigations into alleged corruption inf connection with the sale of military equipment abroad, the refurbishment of fighter aircraft in India, and the sale of submarines in Malaysia. While confirming the investigations, Thales reaffirms its compliance with regulations but has refrained from further comment. > Read article

#Anti-Bribery and Corruption:

New practical guide for elected representatives of local authorities

The French Anti-Corruption Agency, with the help of the Association of French Mayors, has released a practical guide for local authorities. The aim is to help elected representatives put in place appropriate measures to prevent potential breaches of probity. Local authorities and groups of local authorities account for almost 105 billion euros of public spending. It is therefore essential that local authorities adopt exemplary practices and develop control mechanisms when awarding grants, managing public contracts or delegating services. This guide, supplemented by a self-assessment tool, presents risk scenarios with practical worksheets and tools to prevent and identify breaches of probity. > Read article

#European arrest warrant, Extradition & Interpol:

The International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants forNetanyahu, Gallant and the head of the armed wing of Hamas

On Thursday 21 May 2024, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Benyamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, Yoav Gallant, former Israeli Defence Minister, and Mohammed Deif, leader of the armed wing of Hamas. The charges relate to the period from 8 October 2023 to at least 20 May 2024. The ICC considers that it has reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant, as well as Mr Deif, in the absence of proof of his death, “bear criminal responsibility” for war crimes and crimes against humanity. These warrants are a turning point for the ICC, targeting officials allied with the West, and have provoked a strong reaction from Israel, which described the decisions as “absurd”. The ICC, which has no coercive force, depends on the cooperation of States for arrests, which is often uncertain, as in the case of Vladimir Putin. > Read article