French energy group Engie announced on Monday, March 16, 2026, that it has terminated the functions of Fabrice Aidan, a senior executive and former French diplomat, following an internal investigation. The probe was launched after revelations of extensive email correspondence between Aidan and the late convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The company stated that the decision was made after verifying the facts and determining that the nature and frequency of the exchanges were incompatible with Engie's ethical principles and values. Aidan had been serving as Engie's Senior Vice President for Global Affairs and International Development.
Engie's internal review, which concluded recently, examined dozens of emails exchanged over several years. The company emphasized that the investigation found no evidence linking Aidan to the criminal activities for which Epstein was convicted. However, the mere association and sustained communication were deemed a breach of corporate conduct standards.
The case has drawn attention to corporate governance and the vetting of high-level appointments in major international firms. Engie has reiterated its commitment to strict ethical compliance and stated that the decision underscores its zero-tolerance policy regarding breaches of its code of conduct.
