WORLD NEWS
French authorities conducted a search of the Paris offices of Edmond de Rothschild as part of an investigation into alleged corruption involving a French diplomat, according to prosecutors. The case has ties to documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The diplomat, Fabrice Aidan, who served at the United Nations from 2006 to 2013 before joining Edmond de Rothschild, appeared in over 200 documents released by the US Justice Department. Some emails reportedly sent by Aidan between 2010 and 2016 involved the transfer of confidential UN Security Council briefings and other sensitive information to Epstein.
Aidan has denied any wrongdoing. The French Foreign Ministry said it conducted an administrative inquiry involving approximately 30 interviews, with full cooperation from current and former staff. The ministry also indicated that disciplinary proceedings are under consideration.
The Friday search was conducted in the presence of Ariane de Rothschild, the CEO of Edmond de Rothschild. A source close to the bank confirmed that the institution is fully cooperating with the investigation led by France’s financial prosecutor and had already initiated an internal inquiry once suspicions about the former employee surfaced. Aidan worked at the bank from 2014 to 2016.
The probe is being led by France’s central office against corruption and financial and tax offences. Prosecutors said the investigation focuses on accusations of passive corruption of a foreign public official and complicity in that crime. Aidan was questioned voluntarily in late February.
Swiss regulators, including Finma, confirmed they review all credible information related to Epstein in the supervision of financial institutions, though Swiss federal prosecutors have not commented on any parallel investigation.
Ariane de Rothschild herself was mentioned in the US Justice Department documents, which indicated she maintained a personal correspondence with Epstein from 2013 until his 2019 arrest. The bank has stated that Epstein was a business acquaintance and that de Rothschild had no knowledge of his criminal conduct.
The investigation underscores the international reach of scrutiny surrounding Epstein-linked activities and the ongoing efforts of European authorities to examine potential financial and diplomatic misconduct.
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