French Authorities have placed the former head of France Telecom Didier Lombard under formal investigation for harassment. The investigation relates to the suicides of over 30 employees in 2008 and 2009 when Lombard was in charge.

The launching of a formal investigation is the last stage before charges are brought in the French legal system. Lombard, who was forced to step down from his position in 2010, is not being held in custody, but has had to pay bail of €100,000. When Lombard became chief executive of France Telecom in 2005 he presided over an efficiency drive in which tens of thousands of jobs were cut.

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