FRANCE: Police are examining premises connected to Paris 2024 Olympic organisers in two financial investigations. Paris 2024 is cooperating with authorities to assist with the search at the Organising Committee’s headquarters. Police are conducting the search as part of their inquiries into alleged fraud of public funds and favouritism, as per prosecutors.
France’s National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) is conducting searches at SOLIDEO offices, also known as Société de Livraison des Ouvrages Olympiques, as part of two ongoing investigations.
According to the spokesman, the original inquiry was begun in 2017 and looked into potential counts of illegal taking of interests, misappropriation of public funds, favouritism and concealment of favouritism, specifically targeting various contracts issued by the organising committee.
Following an examination by the French Anti-Corruption Agency, the second investigation began in 2022 and looked into potential illegal taking of interests, favouritism, and concealment of favouritism linked to many contracts given by the COJOP and SOLIDEO, according to the spokeswoman.
French authorities were conducting the initial inquiry through the Central Office for the Fight against Corruption and Financial and Tax Offences. The official stated that the second was managed by the Brigade for the suppression of economic crime.
The Paralympic Games will be held from August 28 to September 6 in conjunction with the Paris 2024 Olympics, according to organising committee head Tony Estanguet. The Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11.
The searches started on Tuesday, the first day of a two-day IOC Executive Board meeting when a number of topics were covered, including the development of the Paris 2024 Games preparations.
An IOC representative stated that the Paris 2024 offices had been searched by police today. Paris 2024 has notified IOC that they are completely collaborating with the authorities on this matter, IOC spokesperson said.
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