Billionaire businessman Vincent Bolloré, CEO of Bolloré Group, has asked France's top court to throw out a corruption case against him, alleging that his "fundamental rights" would be "irrevocably" affected if he went ahead with a criminal trial.
Bolloré is accused of bribing Togolese officials between 2009 and 2011 as part of a scheme to win a contract in the Port of Lomé in Togo. Bolloré Group is accused of using its subsidiary Euro RSCG (now Havas) to bribe Togolese officials with communication expenses to win contracts and tax benefits for itself and its subsidiaries, including Bolloré Africa Logistics (formerly known as SDV). He has denied wrongdoing.
Two other executives of Bolloré Group, Gilles Alix and Jean-Philippe Dorent, have also appealed to the Court of Cassation. Alix is accused of corruption linked to the alleged Togo scheme, while Dorent is suspected of complicity in breach of trust.
Bolloré is appealing a previous decision by a Paris court to reject a plea bargain that would have allowed him to avoid a lengthy criminal trial in exchange for paying a €375,000 fine. However, the Judicial Court of Paris refused to approve the deals, ruling that it was "necessary" for the three men to face trial because the allegations against them "seriously undermined economic public order" and the sovereignty of Togo.
Bolloré's appeal is based on the grounds that the plea bargain was fair and that the Paris court was wrong to reject it. He also argues that the allegations against him are politically motivated.
The Court of Cassation is expected to issue its ruling on November 29, 2023.
