Vivendi trial: the prosecutor does not require any penalty
The courtroom of the courthouse in Paris, which houses the trial of Jean-Marie Messier called the auction room. Logically, during several recent financial trials, its walls were then vibrated to the sound of indictments handed in a loud voice, with, the key as auction, claimed to increase penalties in the form of year in prison or heavy fines.
On Wednesday, the auction room was very bad name. The remarks of the prosecutor of the Republic, Chantal Leyris were largely inaudible, the magistrate refused to use the microphone placed at his disposal. And the prosecutors took over the reasoning that led, last year, after investigation, to claim a non-place.But the word "relax" is heard, the prosecution did not request any penalty against former executives of Vivendi Universal.
Jean-Marie Messier, and a good portion of men who formed his staff at the head of the company, is considered from the beginning by the court. The legal case focuses on communication triumphalistic group, become a giant media and communications after its merger with Seagram, which controls including Warner Music. From the first day of the hearing, the former CEO has expressed a mea culpa about its "excessive communication."
On Wednesday, early in the indictment, the prosecutor concurs: "The Vivendi is not an Enron.This is not a fraud organized by the President. "Legally, the prosecution highlighted several weaknesses in the case conducted by the magistrate:" The element of intent was not taken into account in the definition of the crime . Or, on the issue of price manipulation, "Mr. Messier was referred to the court taking into account only the only conclusion of the sanctions committee" of the COB (now AMF). On the merits, Chantal Leyris exempts Jean-Marie Messier on several points. "There is ample evidence, she believes, for example, that the movements in the price of Vivendi September 25, 2001 are due to the normal balance of markets."
The defense of the accused must be expressed from this Thursday.It will do a similar tone, even if it is this time the tenors of the bar who give voice.
The reaction of Didier Cornardeau, president of the association of small shareholders assets: