The Paris offices of Swiss bank Edmond de Rothschild were searched by French investigators as part of an investigation into alleged corruption involving a French diplomat named in documents linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, officials said on Tuesday.
Fabrice Aidan, a middle-ranking French diplomat seconded to the United Nations from 2006 to 2013 and later employed at the bank, appeared in more than 200 documents released by the U.S. Justice Department. These include emails he is alleged to have sent Epstein between 2010 and 2016 from his personal and U.N. accounts, some of which show the transfer of U.N. Security Council briefings and other confidential documents.
Aidan has denied wrongdoing. The French Foreign Ministry said it had completed an administrative investigation, performing about 30 interviews, and is considering disciplinary proceedings. The search was carried out on Friday in the presence of Ariane de Rothschild, the bank's boss, who also appeared in the files released by the U.S. Justice Department in January, showing years-long personal correspondence with Epstein before his 2019 arrest.
Edmond de Rothschild is cooperating fully with the justice system, and an internal inquiry has been launched. The investigation is led by France's central office against corruption and financial and tax offences, focusing on accusations of passive corruption of a foreign public official and complicity in that crime, targeting Aidan in particular.
Swiss financial regulator Finma said it considers all reliable information in its supervision, while Swiss federal prosecutors did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether they are also investigating.
