Bernard Arnault denies involvement in LVMH influence-peddling trial
- Bernard Arnault testified in trial against Bernard Squarcini, accused of influence peddling.
- Arnault asserted he had no knowledge of any alleged scheme nor of the attempts to target him.
- The case raises concerns about the intersection of government influence and corporate interests in France.
In France, the influence-peddling trial of Bernard Squarcini, the former head of the DCRI security service, involves ten men accused of leveraging personal connections for private benefit. Among them is Bernard Arnault, LVMH's chief executive, who testified regarding an alleged scheme aimed at protecting the luxury goods group. During the trial, Arnault declared he was unaware of any wrongdoing, specifically denying knowledge of attempts to identify someone blackmailing him in 2008, as well as monitoring activities directed at journalist Francois Ruffin and the newspaper Fakir. Despite not being charged himself, Arnault was interrogated by authorities but insisted LVMH bore no responsibility, having reached a settlement in 2021 that required the company to pay fines. Ruffin, a vocal critic of Arnault, requested his testimony, claiming that excluding LVMH from accountability weakened the case against Squarcini. The trial is notable not only for its implications regarding personal conduct of high-ranking officials but also for how it addresses broader issues of influence and information access in the context of corporate power in France.