Finance
Former Casino chief Naouri sentenced in Paris corruption trial
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 29, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 29, 2026
Quick Summary
Former Casino CEO Naouri sentenced for corruption and insider trading. He faces electronic monitoring and a fine, while Casino Group is fined 40 million euros.
Former Casino CEO Jean-Charles Naouri Sentenced for Corruption
Overview of the Corruption Case
PARIS, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Former Casino CEO Jean-Charles Naouri faced a year of electronic monitoring and a 1 million euro ($1.20 million) fine on Thursday after a Paris court sentenced him for corruption and insider trading.
Court Ruling and Sentencing
The court found Naouri - who led the French supermarket group for 30 years - and three former senior executives guilty of corruption and the dissemination of false or misleading information as part of an organized group, it said.
Implications for Casino Group
It sentenced the 76-year-old former CEO to four years in jail but said three would be suspended and the remaining year could be served in the form of house arrest with electronic monitoring, the court's statement added.
Reactions and Next Steps
Naouri's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by Reuters via phone and email. He has previously denied all charges against him.
Naouri left the company in 2024 when it was taken over by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky after financial restructuring to avert bankruptcy prompted by years of debt-fuelled acquisitions.
The court found that Naouri and the former executives had paid a publisher 823,000 euros in 2018-2019 to ensure positive press coverage of Casino.
It also ruled that the Casino executives had spread misleading information via the publisher that rival retailer Carrefour was considering a hostile takeover of Casino.
However it did not find evidence of market manipulation on the company's share price.
The Casino Group, the company that owns Casino and Monoprix supermarkets, was also fined 40 million euros for corruption, of which 20 million euros were suspended.
The company said it had taken note of the ruling and would decide within 10 days whether to appeal.
($1 = 0.8361 euros)
(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon, Louise Rasmussen and Dominique Patton; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Key Takeaways
- •Jean-Charles Naouri sentenced for corruption and insider trading.
- •Naouri received a year of electronic monitoring and a fine.
- •Casino Group fined 40 million euros, with 20 million suspended.
- •No evidence of market manipulation found on Casino's share price.
- •Naouri and executives paid for positive press coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Former Casino chief Naouri sentenced in Paris corruption trial
1What is insider trading?
Insider trading refers to the illegal practice of trading stocks or other securities based on non-public, material information about a company.
2What is corporate governance?
Corporate governance is the system of rules, practices, and processes by which a company is directed and controlled, focusing on the interests of stakeholders.
3What is a financial crisis?
A financial crisis is a situation in which the value of financial institutions or assets drops rapidly, often leading to economic instability.
4What is financial stability?
Financial stability refers to a condition where the financial system operates effectively, with institutions able to withstand shocks and maintain confidence.
