### LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault Denies Knowledge of Spying Activities in Influence-Peddling Trial

In a high-profile influence-peddling trial, LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault testified that he had no knowledge of any illegal activities to protect the luxury conglomerate. The testimony comes during the trial of Bernard Squarcini, the former head of France's domestic intelligence agency and one of 10 defendants facing serious charges.

Squarcini, who led the DCRI security service from 2008 to 2012 before transitioning to the private sector as a consultant for LVMH, faces 11 charges, including influence peddling, misuse of public funds, and compromising national security information. Prosecutors allege that Squarcini leveraged his intelligence contacts for private gain, obtaining confidential information for the benefit of LVMH.

On the stand, Arnault underlined his role as a "simple witness" and emphasized that neither he nor LVMH had been indicted. "I was completely unaware" of the alleged scheme, Arnault stated. Investigations revealed that DCRI officers had been deployed as early as 2008 to identify a blackmailer targeting Arnault, among other allegations involving espionage on Francois Ruffin, a journalist-turned-politician, and his newspaper Fakir.

Ruffin, who produced the satirical, Cesar-award-winning film "Merci Patron" about Arnault, requested Arnault's testimony. The filmmaker and politician contended that the lawsuit had lost its focus since LVMH settled out of court in 2021, paying 10 million euros in fines without admitting guilt.

Despite Ruffin's claims, Arnault clarified that LVMH did not acknowledge any wrongdoing in the settlement, which he described as a way to avoid further media attention. He criticized Ruffin for attempting to exploit the trial for "personal, media, political, and even commercial reasons." Arnault also denied any knowledge of surveillance activities targeting Ruffin and Fakir, insisting he was unaware of any such actions by the group's vice president, the late Pierre Gode.

Arnault, frequently listed among the world's wealthiest individuals with a fortune of $158.6 billion according to Forbes, additionally defended LVMH's work practices. He stated that the company pays eight billion euros in taxes annually and is a significant recruiter in France.

Amid these legal challenges, LVMH continues to expand its influence, recently acquiring the weekly magazine Paris Match and controlling stakes in newspapers Les Echos and Le Parisien. In a notable move that could reshape the French football landscape, the Arnault family is also set to purchase a controlling stake in Ligue 2 football club Paris FC, potentially positioning it as a rival to Paris Saint-Germain.