New episode in the long series of the controversial arbitration of 2008 between Bernard Tapie and Crédit Lyonnais. After a general acquittal at first instance in July 2019, the Paris Court of Appeal ruled on Wednesday that the arbitration, which had awarded 403 million euros to Bernard Tapie and has since been canceled in civil matters, was indeed “fraudulent In that it was biased towards the interests of the businessman. Four of the five former co-convicts of Bernard Tapie, who died in early October, have been sentenced.
Orange CEO Stéphane Richard was found guilty of complicity in the misappropriation of public property. The one who was at the time chief of staff of the Minister of the Economy Christine Lagarde was sentenced to one year suspended imprisonment and 50,000 euros fine in this case. He announced that he was going to appeal in cassation.
Pierre Estoup and Maurice Lantourne sentenced to prison
The former magistrate Pierre Estoup and the historical lawyer of Bernard Tapie Maurice Lantourne were sentenced for fraud, respectively to three years of firm imprisonment and a fine of 300,000 euros, and to three years in prison including one firm, 300,000 d fine and a ban on practice for five years.
Pierre Estoup, Maurice Lantourne as well as the companies coming to the rights of Bernard Tapie were also ordered to pay approximately 400 million euros in damages to the entities responsible for managing the liabilities of the former public bank, for material damage , as well as 45,000 euros for non-pecuniary damage.
Maurice Lantourne was also found guilty of complicity in the embezzlement of public funds. Finally, Jean-François Rocchi, former president of an entity responsible for managing the heritage of Crédit Lyonnais, was sentenced for this same offense to two years in prison and a 25,000 euros fine. Another official, Bernard Scemama, for his part was released.