#White collar crime:
Suspicions of fictitious employment: Le Canard enchaîné in the dock
The newspaper Le Canard enchaîné is at the center of a fictitious employment scandal: the partner of a former cartoonist for the paper is alleged to have received a salary for over 25 years without performing any actual work within the editorial staff. She is being prosecuted alongside two former executives. The charges include misuse of company assets, forgery and use of forgeries, and concealment. The case, which was revealed internally, has sent shockwaves through the satirical media outlet, renowned for its anti-corruption investigations, and will be heard in court starting on Tuesday, 8 July. > Read the article
Money Laundering: Citi and UBS Among Nine Banks Sanctioned in Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has announced fines totaling 27.45 million Singapore dollars against several banks, including Citibank and UBS, for their involvement in a money laundering case. These institutions are accused of failing to meet their due diligence obligations by overlooking multiple warning signals related to funds derived from illegal gambling activities, which were funneled through Singapore’s banking system. This action follows the seizure of 3 billion Singapore dollars in assets linked to a criminal network known as the “Fujian gang.” In response to the scandal, the Singaporean government has pledged to strengthen its oversight mechanisms to better prevent such offenses in the future. > Read the article
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office opens an investigation into the National Rally and its allies in the European Parliament
On Tuesday, 8 July, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that it had opened an investigation into the National Rally (RN) and its allies in the European Parliament, former members of the Identity and Democracy (ID) group, which was dissolved in 2024. They are suspected of embezzling more than €4.3 million in European funds between 2019 and 2024. The irregularities relate to dubious calls for tenders, suspicious donations, and overbilling. The investigation follows an internal report by the European Parliament and comes amid increased scrutiny of the use of European public funds. > Read the article
Laetitia Avia sentenced on appeal to six months’ suspended prison term and two years’ ineligibility for moral harassment
MP Laetitia Avia has been sentenced on appeal to six months of suspended prison term and to two years of ineligibility for moral harassment of several parliamentary staff members. The court recognized repeated humiliating and degrading behavior, including inappropriate comments and professional pressure. This decision confirms an initial conviction and marks a political downfall for someone who had committed herself to fighting online hate speech. > Read the article
#Ethics & Compliance
AMF and AFA issue warning over criminal networks targeting individuals with access to insider information
For the first time, the French Anti-Corruption Agency (AFA) and the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) have joined forces to raise awareness among economic stakeholders about the growing risks of criminal networks infiltrating financial markets. These networks seek to exploit internal sources by bribing individuals with access to sensitive information, with the aim of illegally manipulating the markets. In this context, it is essential that organizations — especially those subject to the Sapin II law — have effective prevention and detection mechanisms in place to guard against internal corruption risks and the fraudulent use of insider information. > Read the article
