Elf Aquitaine Scandal (1990s).

The Elf Aquitaine scandal of the 1990s was a high-profile case of corporate corruption that rocked France and reverberated internationally. It involved one of France’s largest companies, Elf Aquitaine, a state-owned oil company, and revealed a web of bribery, embezzlement, and political intrigue.

At the heart of the scandal was the company's CEO, Loïk Le Floch-Prigent, who was accused of overseeing a system of kickbacks and illegal payments to politicians, businessmen, and foreign leaders in exchange for contracts and favors. Le Floch-Prigent was known for his charismatic leadership style and his close ties to France's political elite, including President François Mitterrand.

The scandal first came to light in 1994 when a former executive at Elf Aquitaine, Alfred Sirven, was arrested in the Philippines on charges of money laundering. Sirven's arrest triggered a wide-ranging investigation that uncovered evidence of widespread corruption within the company.

As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Elf Aquitaine had been operating a slush fund known as "Elf Antar" for years, funneling millions of dollars into secret accounts controlled by company executives. These funds were used to pay bribes, finance political campaigns, and enrich top executives.