French foreign minister's son in custody for forgery, fraud

The son of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was taken into custody on Tuesday as part of a probe into forgery, fraud and money laundering, police sources said.

A preliminary investigation into Thomas Fabius's financial affairs was opened in France in 2013, with police particularly interested in his purchase of a seven million euro (US $7.6 million) Paris apartment. A police source said the apartment, which was searched Tuesday, had raised alarms over money laundering.

Thomas Fabius's lawyer confirmed he was in custody but would not comment further. The 34-year-old son of France's top diplomat is wanted in the United States for allegedly writing bouncing cheques at a Las Vegas casino.

Thomas Fabius wrote cheques for more than US $3.5 million (3.2 million euros) to cover gambling debts on the night of May 15, 2012, according to an arrest warrant seen in October by AFP. His father, a former Socialist prime minister, was appointed France's foreign minister in May 2012.

Often photographed at high-flying parties, Thomas has spent millions of dollars in casinos in the past. His high-profile father received a standing ovation in France's National Assembly for his efforts in negotiating a historic climate deal in Paris agreed by 195 countries.