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Trader's Alleged Accomplice Released

Second SocGen worker not charged as bank struggles to stay alive

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 9, 2008 1:31 PM CST

(Newser) – Authorities today released a second suspect in the bank fraud case that cost Société Générale a dizzying $7.09 billion, the Wall Street Journal reports. But the suspect’s ex-colleague, Jerome Kerviel, remains jailed, as the bank and French officials insist he acted alone. Still, prosecutors labeled the second man an assisted witness, which makes him a witness without being charged, AFP explains.

Prosecutors are investigating messages he sent Kerviel before the case broke. “You have done nothing illegal in terms of the law,” one read. SocGen says Kerviel overstepped his authority but concedes he didn’t appear to profit personally from his trades. SocGen’s crippling loss has left it to vulnerable to takeover bids from rivals, Forbes notes.

Societe Generale bank employees stand outside the bank headquarters in a show of support for Chief Executive Daniel Bouton, Wednesday Jan. 30, 2008 in La Defense, outside Paris. The board of scandal-marred French bank Societe Generale met Wednesday as its top executive is under intense pressure over the loss of...
Societe Generale bank employees stand outside the bank headquarters in a show of support for Chief Executive Daniel Bouton, Wednesday Jan. 30, 2008 in La Defense, outside Paris. The board of scandal-marred...   (Associated Press)
In this pool photo made available Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, French trader Jerome Kerviel is seen at his lawyer Elisabeth Meyer's office in Paris, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. Potential legal troubles for French bank Societe Generale have expanded to the United States and the futures trader allegedly at the root...
In this pool photo made available Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, French trader Jerome Kerviel is seen at his lawyer Elisabeth Meyer's office in Paris, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. Potential legal troubles for French...   (Associated Press)
View of the Financial Police headquarters, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008 in Paris. The head of the financial section of the Paris prosecutor's office, Jean-Michel Aldebert, said the questioning of Jerome Kerviel, a trader implicated in a massive bank fraud case has been proving extremely fruitful. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
View of the Financial Police headquarters, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008 in Paris. The head of the financial section of the Paris prosecutor's office, Jean-Michel Aldebert, said the questioning of Jerome Kerviel,...   (Associated Press)
French bank Societe Generale's lawyer Jean Veil, left, answers the press after a Paris court ordered French trader Jerome Kerviel to be jailed while investigations continue into billions of euros (dollars) in losses he allegedly caused at Societe Generale bank, Friday Feb .8, 2008 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
French bank Societe Generale's lawyer Jean Veil, left, answers the press after a Paris court ordered French trader Jerome Kerviel to be jailed while investigations continue into billions of euros (dollars)...   (Associated Press)
In this photo of an electoral leaflet for the 2001 municipal elections in Pont l'Abbe, western France, French trader Jerome Kerviel is seen, listed as a candidate for the town's council. Kerviel, who is accused of causing about $7 billion in losses at the French bank Societe Generale told investigators...
In this photo of an electoral leaflet for the 2001 municipal elections in Pont l'Abbe, western France, French trader Jerome Kerviel is seen, listed as a candidate for the town's council. Kerviel, who...   (Associated Press)
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