Conviction of Bernard Squarcini: The Former Intelligence Chief Sanctioned for Illicit Activities

The former head of the Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI, now DGSI), Bernard Squarcini, was sentenced on Friday, March 7, to four years in prison, including two years suspended, by the Paris Criminal Court. The 69-year-old, nicknamed “the Squale,” was also fined €200,000 and banned from working in intelligence, consulting, and economic intelligence for five years. The custodial part of his sentence will be served under electronic monitoring. His lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, announced his intention to appeal the verdict.

Squarcini was tried for exploiting his networks to obtain and monetize confidential information for the benefit of influential figures, including Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH. The prosecution had requested a four-year suspended prison sentence and a €300,000 fine, describing the offenses as “particularly serious” for a senior civil servant.

A Long List of Offenses

During his trial in November, Squarcini appeared alongside nine other individuals, including Prefect Pierre Lieutaud, former appellate judge Laurent Marcadier, as well as police officers and economic intelligence consultants. The former intelligence chief faced charges for eleven offenses, including passive influence peddling, embezzlement of public funds, compromising national defense secrets, forgery of public documents, and complicity in violating professional secrecy. The court acquitted him of some charges and reclassified others.

Among the offenses retained was the surveillance of François Ruffin, then a journalist and now a deputy, between 2013 and 2016, on behalf of LVMH. Ruffin, who was working on his film “Merci Patron!” at the time, planned to confront Bernard Arnault at the luxury group’s general meetings. Arnault, called to testify, denied any direct involvement and accused Ruffin of using the trial for political purposes.

Abuses of Power and Misconduct

The judges also found that Squarcini had improperly tasked DCRI agents with tracking down a blackmailer targeting Bernard Arnault, and had obtained confidential police information on cases such as the Cahuzac affair, a legal dispute between Hermès and Vuitton, and the murder of Corsican lawyer Antoine Sollacaro. He also allegedly used his connections to expedite passport and visa procedures.

Patrick Maisonneuve, Squarcini’s lawyer, condemned the investigation as biased and defended his client’s lifelong service to the state. Meanwhile, defense attorneys for other defendants highlighted their clients’ “exemplary” careers.

Despite these defenses, the conviction sent shockwaves through the intelligence community, highlighting the potential dangers of blurred lines between public service and private interests.