ROTHSCHILD bank HQ has been raided after a former employee’s links to Jeffrey Epstein emerged.
The headquarters of Edmond de Rothschild bank in was raided on Friday as part of an ongoing into the suspected bribery of public officials.
Rothschild HQ in Paris was raided as part of an investigation into corruption allegationsCredit: Getty
One of its former employees is accused of passing information to Jeffrey EpsteinCredit: AFP
The search was carried out in the presence of the bank’s chief executive, Ariane de Rothschild, according to one source.
French diplomat Fabrice Aidan is the name under the microscope after he appeared several times in the Epstein Files.
“Edmond de Rothschild bank is fully cooperating with the justice system in this investigation being conducted by the national financial prosecutor’s office,” a source close to the bank told AFP.
“Furthermore, an internal investigation was launched as soon as suspicions concerning the former employee, who was in office from 2014 to 2016, were revealed.”
The investigation is currently being carried out by the Central Office for Combating Corruption and Financial Tax Offenses (OCLCIFF).
Its operatives interviewed Aidan at the end of February after he volunteered to participate in the investigation.
The diplomat’s name first came to light when the US published thousands of declassified documents related to the disgraced financier in January.
Aidan is cited several times for passing diplomatic information to Epstein between 2010 and 2017.
He is also suspected of having done a number of favours for Epstein over the same time period.
As soon as Aidan’s name was revealed to the public, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, referred the matter to the .
Since then, an administrative investigation as well as disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the suspect.
Between 2006 and 2013, Aidan worked for the in , where he served as chief of staff and special adviser to Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen.
After leaving a career in diplomacy behind, he worked for Edmond de Rothschild before joining utility company ENGIE.
Following the shocking revelations, he has since been suspended by his current employer.
Across the , the Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the authorities are assessing “a whole range of suggested sexual allegations” to see if any “merit a criminal investigation”.
Police are also pushing to obtain a “big body of unredacted evidence” from the US about and .
“We need the original copy and where did it come from and that’s going to be necessary if we get to the stage of court cases,” Rowley said.
Thames Valley Police are said to be looking at highly-sensitive documents that Andrew may have allegedly shared with Epstein.
Documents in the Epstein files also appear to show former ambassador Mandelson passing confidential information to Epstein while he was Business Secretary.
Both Mandelson and the former prince were arrested over allegations of misconduct in a public office – they have both strongly and consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Rothschild bank said they are fully cooperating with proceedingsCredit: Alamy
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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