Publication: Associated Press Issued: Date: 2005-12-21 Reporter:

French Judges Search Thales Headquarters

 

Publication 

Associated Press

Date

2005-12-21

Web Link

www.newsday.com

 

Paris -- French judges searched the headquarters of Thales SA as part of a probe into charges of corruption at the French defense electronics firm, accused by a former employee of paying out millions of dollars in bribes, judicial officials said on Wednesday.

They also searched the headquarters of the French government's arms procurement agency, the DGA, which is a client of Thales, said the officials who asked not to be named because the investigation is ongoing.

Investigators requisitioned numerous documents and computer equipment, they said.

French prosecutors earlier this month launched two formal investigations into Thales over several suspect deals in France and abroad following a preliminary inquiry into allegations of wrongdoing by fired executive Michel Josserand.

Judge Renaud Van Ruymbeke on Tuesday spent more than 10 hours at the Thales headquarters in Neuilly-sur-Seine, the sources said.

Thales confirmed the search took place but reiterated its denial of any wrongdoing. It has filed its own lawsuit against Josserand and against Le Monde, the daily newspaper that first published his allegations in September.

"Thales ... has categorically denied the accusations of corruption," spokesman Christophe Robin *1 said, adding, "We have always cooperated and we continue to cooperate with the justice system."

Judge Xaviere Simeoni visited the home of businessman Gerard Bertinetti, who according to Josserand played a role in a contract between Thales and the DGA for the destruction of aging chemical weapons stocks.

That contract is the focus of the first of two probes. It cites possible charges including corruption, embezzlement and receiving stolen funds.

The second investigation relates to Thales deals or bids involving a Cambodian education project; work on the subway system in Cairo, Egypt; the Moroccan Atomic Energy Commission and a Casablanca hospital; bids to equip speed boats for the Greek navy and supply security equipment for last year's Athens Olympics; and an unspecified deal with the city of Douala, Cameroon.

Prosecutors are weighing possible charges of embezzlement, receiving stolen funds and corrupting foreign officials in relation to the foreign deals.

Josserand, a former CEO of Thales Engineering and Consulting, or THEC, himself faces prosecution after irregularities surfaced in the division's bid to build part of a tram system in the southern French city of Nice.

With acknowledgement to Associated Press.


*1  Christopher Robin always believed in phairy thales.