Bernard Squarcini was found guilty of organizing a bizarre illegal surveillance operation on a gadfly journalist at the request of the luxury company, among other offenses.

France’s former top intelligence official, Bernard Squarcini, was found guilty of illegally taking advantage of his networks to serve private interests, including those of luxury giant LVMH’s head Bernard Arnault.

A Paris court found the former head of France's domestic security services, Bernard Squarcini, guilty on Friday of using public resources to benefit LVMH, in a trial that shed light on efforts by the world's biggest luxury group to protect its reputation.

Bernard Squarcini, former head of France's domestic security, was found guilty of using public resources to benefit LVMH. He received a two-year sentence at home and fined 200,000 euros. This case highlights unauthorized surveillance activities linked to LVMH and its efforts to protect its reputation.

He was charged for using his security contacts for private gain including by obtaining confidential information for luxury giant LVMH.

Former French spy chief Bernard Squarcini was sentenced to four years in prison (two suspended) for influence peddling, involving using his contacts

Squarcini, who was accused of influence peddling, including obtaining confidential information for LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, has been handed a four-year sentence, including two years suspended,