Altice France (SFR) has taken “preventive measures” as part of the “Picoas operation”, including launching an internal investigation and assessing “if there are any consequences” for the company.
In a statement on Thursday, Altice France said it “takes note” of the ongoing investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) in Portugal “against persons associated with Altice, as well as outside entities”.
He recalls that the MP clarified that the investigation focuses on “harmful practices affecting Altice Portugal and its subsidiaries and thereby becoming victims of fraud” by individuals.
While the investigation is ongoing, Altice France has taken “preventive measures”, including launching an internal investigation and engaging outside lawyers and other advisors “to assess whether Altice France is affected”, as well as strengthening the approval process. all purchases, payments and related processes.
“Altice France will continue to conduct its business as normal and will continue to conduct its business with the utmost integrity in the interest of all stakeholders. [partes interessadas]”, with customers and employees in the foreground.
On Wednesday, Patrick Drahi’s group announced that Altice International and its subsidiaries “have sent on furlough several legal representatives, managers and employees in Portugal and abroad” pending the investigation.
“Operation Picoas”, launched on July 13, led to three arrests, including that of Altice group co-founder Armando Pereira, with about 90 house searches at home and abroad, including Altice Portugal’s headquarters, in Lisbon, and installations of companies and offices in different parts of the country, according to the Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Procedure (DCIAP) of the Public Prosecution Service (MP). Hernâni Vaz Antunes was the fourth defendant to be arrested, but this happened on the 15th, after he turned himself in to the authorities.
This was a joint action by the Member of Parliament and the Tax and Customs Administration (AT).
At stake is allegedly a “mistake in the Altice group’s hiring decision-making process, with harmful practices by its companies and competitors”, pointing to private corruption in both active and passive forms.
The authorities believe that the state will have been defrauded on a fiscal level for an amount “of more than 100 million euros”.
On June 2, 2015, Altice completed the purchase of PT Portugal.
Source: DN
