\tOrange CEO Stephane Richard (pictured) was acquitted of a decade-old allegation of complicity in fraud at a trial in Paris, ending a lengthy legal process which could have seen him lose his position at the helm of France\u2019s largest operator.<\/p>\n
Financial Times reported Richard, who also serves as chair of industry association GSMA, was cleared of all misconduct by the court. Prosecutors had called for a three-year jail term, a \u20ac100,000 fine and a ban on working for the state for five years.<\/p>\n
The executive previously faced calls to resign from government ministers should he be found guilty. The state remains a major shareholder in Orange.<\/p>\n
Allegations date back to Richard\u2019s stint working for the French government as a chief of staff in the Finance Ministry more than ten years ago.<\/p>\n
Accusations surrounded any role he played in a \u20ac403 million compensation payment made by the French state to businessman Bernard Tapie. The payment was later annulled and an order issued to return the funds to authorities.<\/p>\n
In 2018, Richard was given another four years at the helm of Orange, having served in the role since 2011. He was appointed chair of the GSMA [1] in November 2018.<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/home-banner\/orange-chief-richard-to-chair-gsma\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Orange CEO Stephane Richard (pictured) was acquitted of a decade-old allegation of complicity in fraud …<\/p>\n
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