Ex-Spy Chief Hired by LVMH on Trial for Alleged Corruption (1)

The former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency stands trial accused of spying for Bernard Arnault’s luxury conglomerate, carrying out covert surveillance of a top critic and helping to investigate a blackmail plot.

While Bernard Squarcini was called to the stand on Wednesday by Paris judges to face the corruption allegations, neither Arnault, nor the company he controls are on trial. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE agreed to pay €10 million ($10.6 million) as part of a settlement with prosecutors in 2021 that didn’t include any admission of guilt.

Arnault however, will take the spotlight when he ...