Bernard Arnault, France’s richest man, denies knowledge of scheme to protect luxury goods group

France’s richest man, LVMH chief Bernard Arnault, has testified in the influence-peddling trial of the former head of France’s domestic intelligence agency, denying any knowledge of an alleged scheme to protect the luxury group.

Bernard Squarcini, the former head of the DCRI security service (since renamed the DGSI), is one of 10 men on trial and charged with using his security contacts for private gain, including obtaining confidential information on behalf of LVMH.