Giacometti estate misappropriation trial

Former French foreign minister Roland Dumas has gone on trial in Paris on charges of corruption. He is accused accepting a bribe in connection with the sale of artworks by the sculptor Alberto Giacometti. Mr Dumas, a lawyer who served under Socialist President Francois Mitterrand, was an executor of the will of the sculptor's widow.

He is accused of receiving a pay-off to keep quiet about proceeds allegedly retained illegally by the auctioneer. It is alleged that Mr Dumas was paid nearly $500,000 (370,000 euros; £255,000) by auctioneer Jacques Tajan, who sold the artworks in 1994.

Posted by David on December 18, 2004 2:50 PM