Former telecom CEO probed for suicides

According to the country’s labor unions, more than 30 employees of France Telecom committed suicide between 2008 and 2009 under Lombard’s presidency, many of whom left notes blaming pressure from management or work stress.

“[Lombard] provided explanations on the economic, technological and regulatory conditions in which France Telecom evolved,” said Lombard’s lawyer Jean Veil.

Veil further added that Lombard had told the court about “the particularly unfavorable competition rules that the government imposed on this business” when it was privatized.

Earlier this week Lombard wrote in Le Monde daily that the restructuring program was not responsible for the suicides.

“I am aware that the upheavals which rocked the company could have sparked jolts and problems,” he wrote.

“But I firmly reject that these plans which were key to the survival of the company could have been the reason for these human dramas,” Lombard noted.

Several other former executives of the company, including former head of human resources Olivier Barberot and formerly number two at France Telecom Louis-Pierre Wenes, are also due to be probed.

The formal investigation is the last stage before charges are brought up based on the French legal system.

TNP/SS

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