Former Vivendi Chief to Stand Trial

PARIS: Jean-Marie Messier, the ex-CEO of Vivendi, and other former senior executives from the company, including Edgar Bronfman Jr., have been ordered to stand trial in Paris on charges of misleading shareholders.

The investigation into Messier’s dealings at the company have been ongoing for several years and centered on allegations of market manipulation, distributing false information and misuse of corporate funds. Judge Jean-Marie d’Huy made the decision today that Messier, Bronfman and others will have to stand trial on those charges. Vivendi issued a statement earlier today noting that it "has fully cooperated with the judicial authorities since the beginning" of the investigation in October 2002. 

Messier led tremendous expansion at Vivendi, transforming in from a utility company to a major media conglomerate, and racked up a considerable debt in the process, resulting in him being ousted in July of 2002.