**Ex-Intelligence Chief Bernard Squarcini Sentenced for LVMH Surveillance Scandal**

Former intelligence chief Bernard Squarcini faces prison time for his role in an illegal surveillance operation linked to LVMH, raising ethical questions about corporate influence.

In a dramatic verdict delivered by a Paris court on March 7, 2025, Bernard Squarcini, the former chief of France's intelligence agency, was convicted of misusing his official capacity to serve the interests of the luxury conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Renowned for its flagship brands, such as Louis Vuitton and Dior, LVMH aimed to safeguard its reputation amid controversies arising from a documentary critical of the company and its CEO, Bernard Arnault.

The court sentenced Squarcini to a four-year prison term, divided into two years in house arrest and two years suspended, alongside a hefty fine of €200,000 (approximately $217,000). His legal counsel has indicated that an appeal will be forthcoming.

Central to the indictment was Squarcini's involvement in an unauthorized surveillance operation targeting journalist François Ruffin, who began producing an exposé on LVMH and Arnault in 2012. While LVMH was not directly charged, the proceedings took a surprising twist when Arnault was summoned to testify, providing a rare glimpse into the inner workings of high-stakes corporate management.

During his appearance, Arnault positioned himself as a resilient leader who had transformed LVMH from a modest business with 10,000 employees in the 1980s into the global luxury powerhouse it is today, with a workforce of approximately 200,000. He staunchly denied any knowledge of the illicit surveillance activities orchestrated by Squarcini. Alongside Squarcini, nine other individuals, primarily civil servants and consultants, were implicated, with two acquitting themselves of related charges.