Anne Lauvergeon

In the strand concerning the circumstances of UraMin's acquisition itself, Anne Lauvergeon was granted assisted witness (témoin assisté) status in 2016 regarding abuse of power, a status less adverse than being formally placed under investigation. Investigating judges examined whether acquisition-related decisions had been contrary to Areva's interests.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist is a witness

In its review of Areva's management between 2006 and 2012, the Court of Auditors described a strong concentration of power around Anne Lauvergeon, governance minutes considered sketchy and pay increases based on success rates judged to have an artificially precise appearance.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Following Lauvergeon's departure, Areva suspended payment of €1 million in severance and €500 000 under a non-compete clause pending the findings of a review into UraMin. Lauvergeon sought an urgent court order requiring payment.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is the complainant

Anne Lauvergeon and her husband Olivier Fric filed complaints after discovering private investigations containing banking, telephone and personal data collected in connection with the UraMin affair. A Swiss private investigation firm had been commissioned in the Areva environment, and some data had been obtained by contested methods.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Under Anne Lauvergeon's chairmanship, Areva signed the contract to construct the Olkiluoto 3 EPR in Finland in 2003. The project accumulated years of delays and billions of euros in losses. The Court of Auditors subsequently delivered a highly critical assessment of decision-making, finding in particular that the project began when the design was insufficiently developed.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Areva acquired Canadian mining company UraMin in 2007 for approximately €1.8 billion to strengthen its uranium reserves. The deposits proved far less promising than expected, and Areva subsequently recorded massive impairments. The Court of Auditors described the acquisition as imprudent and made at a very high price.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

At the Women's Forum in Deauville in 2009, Anne Lauvergeon explained that, where candidates had equal skills, Areva might favour diversity over the traditional 'White male' profile. The wording, widely reported in the media, triggered debate over positive discrimination and recruitment.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated