EDF Warns of Huge Contract Losses If Convicted in Paris Case (1)

Electricite de France SA legal team warned at a Paris trial that the utility could end up losing “huge contracts” abroad if convicted in a case over accusations it favored several consultants by awarding them advisory deals without putting them up for tender.

The favoritism court case that began on Tuesday centers on awards worth more than €20 million ($21.7 million) given to 44 consultants, including the firm set up by former Vivendi SE boss Jean-Marie Messier.

While EDF risks a maximum fine of €1 million, its lawyer warned that many of its own contracts require having a clean ...