The owner of several Paris nightclubs, including Phantom, YoYo and T7, has been found guilty of “active corruption” and fined €150,000. Laurent de Gourcuff, who is the boss of Paris Society and owns more than 70 venues across France, was also handed a two-year suspended prison sentence and is banned from running businesses for five years. His company was awarded a 12-year concession contract for the Longchamp Racecourse in 2018. De Gourcuff received “privileged information” during meals with the marketing and sales director of France Galop, which previously managed the racecourse.
Le Monde, a French media outlet, reports that de Gourcuff was charged with influence peddling and concealment of favouritism. In conjunction with this, Fabrice F., a former executive of France Galop, was also given a two-year suspended prison sentence and fined €30,000. During his November 2023 trial, prosecutors asked for a 12-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of €50,000.
De Gourcuff is reportedly appealing the sentence. His company owns hospitality venues in North America, the Middle East, and Europe as well as dozens of clubs and restaurants across France. Phantom, a 3,400-capacity superclub, opened in March 2023 and is among his company’s club portfolio, which includes Mirage, Bridge, La Clairière, Bonnie, T7, YoYo and more.
Paris Society’s other restaurants include Monsieur Bleu and Maxim’s, and de Gourcuff was 22 when he purchased his first club, Les Planches. The racecourse made available to Paris Society by France Galop included a restaurant and was the subject of controversy; the latter’s former marketing and sales director has also been charged with corruption
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