Plastic in an ice cream bought at Mc Donald’s (illustration). – F.Lodi / SIPA
The custody of three former McDonald’s executives, suspected of tax evasion as part of a preliminary investigation, has been lifted without prosecution at this stage, corroborating sources announced on Thursday. As part of an investigation opened by
the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) on suspicion of tax fraud, three former senior officials of the iconic fast food brand were placed in police custody on Wednesday in the premises of the Office dedicated to the fight against financial and tax offenses.
These three custody have been lifted, said Thursday a source close to the file and the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office. The PNF specified “that no decision has been taken” on possible prosecutions. The officials concerned are Denis Hennequin, CEO in 2009 of McDonald’s Europe, Jean-Pierre Petit, CEO of the brand in France, and Salvatore Perri, former CEO of France and Southern Europe.
Mc Donald’s among “the most important contributors to corporate tax”
It was the conclusion of an agreement in 2009 between the Mc Donald’s parent company and its French subsidiary that aroused suspicion. This agreement provided that part of the profits earned by the French subsidiary would be returned to the United States, thus escaping tax. According to the chained Duck, the French tax authorities hope to recover “from 300 to 600 million euros, or even a billion”.
Mc Donald’s France said Wednesday that the sign declared “its activities in France and pays all taxes due in accordance with the laws in force” and was “for example, among the largest contributors to corporate tax”. It specifies having, with its franchisees, paid between 2009 and 2013 “a cumulative corporate tax of more than one billion euros in France”.
The brand affirmed to collaborate with the judicial authorities and to continue “to this day to maintain, on behalf of its shareholder, regular and technical exchanges on the complex question of the value of brand royalties and know-how with the whole. administrations and competent authorities ”. Established in France since 1979, Mc Donald’s France has some 75,000 employees and plans to exceed 1,500 restaurants in France with around thirty openings in 2021.