French Justice Intensifies Probe into Altice Corruption, Conducts Extensive Searches and Seizes €14 Million

The French judicial system has accelerated its investigation into a corruption scandal involving telecom giant Altice and its affiliates, with a major operation carried out on November 18, 2025. Approximately 70 investigators executed searches across 15 homes and 14 companies spanning Île-de-France, Corsica, Var, and Vosges, as part of a preliminary inquiry opened in September 2023. The probe targets allegations of private corruption, abuse of corporate assets, and money laundering tied to Altice and its network of suppliers.

This large-scale action focused on dismantling a corrupt mechanism where a network of shell companies allegedly connected Altice to suppliers, leading to inflated billing practices. The illicitly obtained funds are believed to have fueled money laundering both in France and internationally, benefiting key individuals implicated in the scheme. As a result of the searches, judicial authorities seized over 14 million euros from bank accounts, along with luxury vehicles and other assets deemed crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation.

Among those under scrutiny is Armando Pereira, a close associate of Altice's founder Patrick Drahi. Pereira has been under surveillance by Portuguese judicial authorities since 2023, reflecting the transnational character of the probe. The operation included searches at around twenty companies linked to Drahi and the residences of several individuals, including a former associate of the telecom magnate.

The investigation, conducted by the Central Office for the Fight against Corruption and Financial and Tax Offenses (OCLCIFF) under the supervision of the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) and supported by Eurojust and Portuguese counterparts, seeks to uncover the means by which high-ranking executives established a corrupt supplier network that exchanged kickbacks for contracts. While many details remain confidential, the inquiry is a key step toward exposing a sophisticated fraud and corruption scheme that has challenged regulatory frameworks since the scandal erupted in summer 2023.

This judicial action marks a significant development in holding accountable those involved in financial crimes affecting one of France’s major telecom companies, with further investigations expected as authorities pursue justice.