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