Major Financial Fraud Verdict, Crucial Legal Prescription Debate, and New Anti-Tax Fraud Prosecutor Highlight French Justice System Updates

On January 15, 2026, a pivotal sentence was handed down in France's largest financial fraud case. Jean and Viviane Badache were convicted for orchestrating the "Affaire Apollonia," a scheme involving over €1.2 billion in fraudulent investments. The Marseille correctional tribunal sentenced the couple to seven years in prison each and fined them €2.5 million apiece. Additionally, authorities confiscated €20 million worth of assets, including a €9 million villa overlooking Cassis and a palace in Marrakech. The court described Jean Badache as driven by a social revenge motive and extraordinary enrichment ambitions. Their defense attorney signaled plans to appeal, arguing the judgment was more moral than legal in nature.

Meanwhile, the French judicial system is poised for a consequential ruling regarding criminal prescription laws. On January 16, the Cour de cassation will decide if the confessed murderer in the nearly 40-year-old disappearance of Marie-Thérèse Bonfanti can still be prosecuted. This ruling has broad implications on the application of prescription, which restricts the state's ability to prosecute crimes after certain time frames. Since a 2017 reform, prosecution periods for serious crimes have doubled from ten to twenty years, with mechanisms allowing suspension when investigative actions occur, keeping cases alive beyond fixed deadlines.

Amid these developments, Pascal Prache, appointed as the prosecutor of the Parquet National Financier (PNF) in early 2023, shared his vision to intensify the fight against tax fraud and safeguard public funds. He highlighted the challenges faced due to rising hostility toward the justice system linked to high-profile political and financial cases. Prache emphasized the necessity of transparency and better communication of PNF's objectives and methodologies to strengthen public understanding and trust.

These updates collectively underscore a dynamic phase in the French justice system, balancing stringent actions against major financial crimes, reconsideration of legal time limits for prosecution, and a renewed commitment to combat fiscal wrongdoing with increased public engagement and clarity.