Billionaire Bernard Arnault, head of luxury conglomerate LVMH, testified on Thursday in the high-profile trial of former French intelligence chief Bernard Squarcini, who faces multiple charges of using state resources to benefit LVMH.
Arnault, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, denied any involvement in or awareness of an alleged scheme to protect his company through illegal surveillance of political and media critics.
Squarcini, the former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency (DCRI, now DGSI), is accused of leveraging his security contacts to gather confidential information on behalf of LVMH. The charges against him include influence peddling, misuse of public funds, and compromising national security. Investigators allege that Squarcini spied on journalist-turned-lawmaker François Ruffin, who had criticized Arnault and LVMH in his 2016 documentary Merci Patron! (Thanks, Boss!).
Prosecutors assert that from 2013 to 2016, Squarcini’s private intelligence firm, working for LVMH, infiltrated Ruffin’s satirical newspaper Fakir and monitored plans to disrupt LVMH shareholder meetings.
Arnault emphasized that he was appearing as a witness, not a defendant, and stated that his company had settled the matter in 2021 by paying €10 million without admitting guilt to avoid further legal battles and media scrutiny.
“I was completely unaware of these activities,” Arnault said in court.
He added that responsibility for any surveillance rested with Pierre Godé, LVMH’s vice president, who passed away in 2018.
“It is not for me to judge what Mr. Godé did or did not do, as I was not informed.”
When asked if he knew about attempts to identify a blackmailer in 2008 using state resources, Arnault firmly responded, “Absolutely not.” He also denied any awareness of surveillance targeting Ruffin or his newspaper.
Arnault’s testimony turned confrontational when he accused Ruffin of exploiting the trial for political and personal gain. Ruffin, now a prominent left-wing lawmaker, has claimed that the case highlights unethical practices by LVMH and has used it to draw attention to his own political platform.
“Mr. Ruffin is using this trial for media, political, and commercial reasons,” Arnault remarked.
He suggested that Ruffin’s actions were driven by ideology rather than genuine concern. He also criticized Ruffin’s attendance record in parliament and accused his legal team of pursuing a “media spectacle.”
Arnault defended LVMH’s economic contributions, stating:
“We pay €8 billion in taxes annually and have created far more jobs than we have lost.”
He also warned Ruffin’s lawyers against making “defamatory” statements, threatening legal action.
The trial has drawn significant attention in France, highlighting broader issues of corporate influence, state surveillance, and tensions between capitalism and activism. Ruffin’s Merci Patron! satirically depicted LVMH’s offshoring practices and became a cultural touchstone, fueling anxiety within LVMH about potential disruptions from Ruffin’s group.
Squarcini has denied all wrongdoing, asserting that his actions were in the “national interest.”
Fortune, the Financial Times, and Politico contributed to this report.
