#Dispute resolution & regulatory investigations:
The French Anti-Money Laundering Steering Committee Takes Over Coordination of EU Economic Sanctions in France
On May 30, the French Anti-Money Laundering Steering Committee (Conseil d’orientation de la lutte contre le blanchiment de capitaux, “Colb”) was tasked with coordinating the implementation of European Union economic sanctions in France. This mission, transposing an EU directive dated April 2024, aims to strengthen “cooperation between law enforcement authorities and the authorities responsible for enforcing European Union restrictive measures”. The Colb, attached to the Treasury Department, must ensure common priorities, facilitate information exchange, and support investigations. Created in 2010, it is already responsible for combating money laundering and terrorism financing. This new role reinforces its strategic position in French economic and financial security. > Read the article
#Ethics & Compliance
Czech Republic: Minister resigns after receiving 40 million euros in bitcoins from drug trafficker
On May 30, Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blažek resigned after his ministry received the equivalent of 40 million euros in bitcoins from Tomáš Jiřikovský, a former drug dealer who was convicted of drug trafficking, embezzlement, and illegal weapons possession. The bitcoins had been transferred to the ministry and then resold at auction for Czech crowns. Mr. Blažek claims that the operation was legal and that the courts had never proven that the funds were derived from criminal activities. Nevertheless, he chose to resign in order to avoid damaging the reputation of the Government led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala. A judicial investigation into abuse of power and money laundering has been opened. > Read the article
#White collar crime:
The automatic resignation of Marine Le Pen from her position as departmental councilor of Pas-de-Calais confirmed by the Administrative Court of Lille
On June 4, the Administrative Court of Lille confirmed the automatic resignation of Marine Le Pen from her position as departmental councilor of Pas-de-Calais, following an appeal she filed at the end of May. The court based its decision on the provisions of the Electoral Code, which require the Prefect to declare the automatic resignation of a departmental elected official if they are declared ineligible by an enforceable criminal court ruling. The Administrative Court also dismissed the priority preliminary constitutional ruling, noting that the constitutionality of these provisions had already been addressed by a decision of the Constitutional Council on 28 March 2025. Marine Le Pen’s lawyer announced that they intended to file an appeal against this decision. > Read the article
“France’s biggest real estate swindle”: ten years’ imprisonment sought against the founders of Apollonia
On June 2nd, the public prosecution requested a maximum ten-year prison sentence against the Badache spouses, the founders of Apollonia, an asset management company accused of defrauding around 750 clients of approximately 1.2 billion euros. The prosecutor’s office also requested a 5 million euro fine for the Badache spouses, the seizure of 5 million euros from their assets, the confiscation of assets already seized, the dissolution of Apollonia, a 5 million euro fine against the company, and convictions against former salespersons and notaries. The company is accused of convincing its customers to buy a large number of properties with no risk and to take out loans under the professional lessor status. > Read the article
