Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Corruption in France: Sarkozy, Lagarde Complicit in Fraud Scandal

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: Agencies
  • 25 Nov 2021 00:05
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

From tech giant Orange to Credit Lyonnais - an intricate web of corruption surfaces in France.

  • x
  • The CEO of Orange, Stephane Richard
    The CEO of Orange, Stephane Richard

The French telecom giant, Orange, announced that Orange's CEO Stephane Richard is to leave his post by the end of January after being convicted due to his role in a fraud-tainted state payout to tycoon Bernard Tapie; the CEO was given a one-year suspended sentence. 

Richard's departure "will be effective once new leadership is in place and no later than January 31," the company said in a statement.

Richard is one of many senior officials to be caught up in a decade-old scandal over $453 million made to Tapie in 2008, when Richard was working in the French Finance Ministry. 

This sent shockwaves through France, as citizens started questioning whether the arbitration panel which was placed by then finance minister Christine Lagarde was appointed in favor of Tapie's interests. 

Related News

Macron says Europe not feared enough in trade deal with US

'Israel', Syria agree to de-escalate amid Paris meeting: Al Monitor

A state of corruption

In 2019, the Paris criminal court acquitted Tapie of all his crimes and allegations, along with Richard and three others. Tapie died in October 2021. 

However, the appeal court rejected this ruling, dubbing it "fraudulent." 

Richard was convicted of complicity in embezzlement of public funds; the judge overseeing the case said he "committed serious offenses in putting the interests of Bernard Tapie above those of the state or the public finances he was tasked with defending," also accusing him of putting the state at a financial disadvantage and bringing France to shame. 

Judge's gavel makes a verdict 

In 2016, Lagarde was found guilty of negligence, and not fulfilling her ministerial duty when Tapie sold his Adidas stake to French bank Credit Lyonnais, which undervalued the brand. When Lagarde didn't appeal the amount of the award, suspicions arose that Sarkozy, whom Tapie supported for presidency in 2007, had a bias towards businessmen. Sarkozy denied these allegations. 

On Wednesday, prison sentences were handed out: Pierre Estoup - one of the three arbitration judges - and Maurice Lantourne, who was Tapie's former lawyer. Lantourne was convicted of corruption, entailing that the arbitration was directed in Tapie's favor. 

Estoup was sentenced to three years in prison for fraud, whereas Lantourne was also handed a three-year sentence, including one year in prison and two suspended for embezzlement of public funds. 

  • Paris
  • Christine Lagarde
  • Orange
  • Nicolas Sarkozy
  • France
  • Telecommunication

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS