2024-01-05 18:25:40
He announced his departure on the social network X, where he is followed by almost no one. Alexandre Fonseca is however a heavyweight in the telecommunications sector. Co-CEO of the Altice Europe group and boss of Altice in the United States, the Portuguese businessman had been suspended for six months due to suspicions of corruption. After more than ten years within the empire created by billionaire Patrick Drahi, Alexandre Fonseca would have “reached an agreement terminating his employment contract as well as all the executive and non-executive functions that he exercised”, Altice Portugal said.
The telecommunications group, which notably owns the BFM TV channel, RMC radio and the SFR brand in France, is currently in the midst of a corruption scandal in Portugal. Co-founder of the group with Patrick Drahi, Portuguese businessman Armando Pereira is suspected of 11 counts of corruption and money laundering. Although he denies the accusations, he is also suspected of having set up a network of dubious suppliers with the aim of embezzling large sums of money via the group’s purchasing policy. Under house arrest, he paid 10 million euros to lift this measure.
Patrick Drahi felt “betrayed and deceived”
Around fifteen employees, including a manager of the group in France, were suspended. Patrick Drahi said he felt “betrayed and deceived by a small group of individuals”. Despite the corruption scandal, a branch of the group, Altice International, managed to borrow 800 million euros on the markets in October. Patrick Drahi constantly repeated this summer that this scandal would have “no impact” on the finances and forecasts of Altice, which must in particular pay off significant debts.
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