Investigators estimate at least 608,000 euros the amount of the operation intended to get the intermediary Ziad Takieddine to withdraw his accusations against Nicolas Sarkozy. Nine people are indicted for witness tampering, criminal association or organized fraud.
Investigators got their hands on the interception of a telephone conversation between Arnaud Lagardère and Hervé Gattegno, respectively owner and director of publication of Paris Match. The money, mainly mobilized by the financier Pierre Reynaud, was paid to various alleged protagonists, including the intermediary Noël Dubus and an advertiser.