In a landmark ruling, a Paris court sentenced ex-intelligence chief Bernard Squarcini to four years in prison on charges of influence peddling connected to the luxury brand LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Squarcini, who led France's intelligence services from 2008 to 2012, engaged in unethical practices during his consultancy with LVMH after leaving office. The court found that he misused government resources for the benefit of the high-profile company, receiving a sentence that includes two years of house arrest and a €200,000 fine.

The case gained attention for its bizarre twist involving a secretive surveillance operation Squarcini supported against journalist François Ruffin, who was documenting LVMH's public image issues back in 2012. Though LVMH itself was not a defendant, the trial highlighted the connections between corporate interests and state power, leading to a dramatic moment when LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault was called to provide testimony. Arnault, who has significantly grown LVMH since the '80s, asserted he was unaware of any illegal actions associated with his company.

Squarcini's trial also included nine other co-defendants, although some were acquitted. His lawyer announced plans to appeal the conviction, indicating that this high-profile case may not be over yet.