French Investigators Raid Over Diplomat’s Connection to Epstein Scandal
French investigators searched the Paris offices of Edmond de Rothschild this week. The move forms part of a probe linked to emails and documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein, Filmogaz.com has learned.
The diplomat and the documents
The diplomat at the centre is Fabrice Aidan. He was seconded to the United Nations from 2006 to 2013 and later joined the bank.
Aidan’s name appears in more than 200 documents released by the U.S. Justice Department. Those files include emails dated between 2010 and 2016. Some messages allegedly show the transfer of U.N. Security Council briefings and other confidential papers to Epstein.
Aidan has denied any wrongdoing. The French foreign ministry has opened an administrative investigation and disciplinary proceedings.
Bank search and internal response
The search took place on Friday and was carried out in Paris. A source close to the bank said Ariane de Rothschild was present during the raid.
Edmond de Rothschild says it is cooperating with investigators. The bank launched an internal inquiry after suspicions arose about a former employee. That person worked at the bank from 2014 to 2016.
A bank spokesperson declined to comment further to Filmogaz.com.
Legal steps and allegations
France’s central anti-corruption office is leading the investigation. Officers questioned Aidan in a voluntary interview in late February.
The financial prosecutor’s office said it is probing accusations of passive corruption of a foreign public official and complicity. The inquiry specifically targets Aidan.
Swiss regulator FINMA said it examines reliable information and conducts in-depth reviews when concerns affect business integrity. Swiss federal prosecutors did not immediately respond to requests on any parallel probes. Geneva’s prosecutor also declined to comment on local measures.
Ariane de Rothschild and prior links
Ariane de Rothschild appears in the U.S. Justice Department files released in January. The documents indicate a years-long personal correspondence with Epstein before his 2019 arrest.
The bank previously described Epstein as a business acquaintance of de Rothschild between 2013 and 2019. Bank spokespeople said de Rothschild had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal conduct.
The investigation remains active. French investigators continue their raid-related work while authorities in France and Switzerland review the material. Filmogaz.com will follow developments as they emerge.
