Vivendi boss arrested in Paris

The former chief executive of Vivendi Universal, Jean-Marie Messier, was taken into police custody in Paris today in an investigation into financial misappropriation during his time at the telecommunications giant, police said.

The investigative unit on financial crime could hold Messier for questioning for up to 48 hours, police said.

Earlier this month, Vivendi’s former chief financial officer, Guillaume Hannezo, was placed under investigation as part of a probe into alleged insider dealing and share price manipulation.

Hannezo served as Vivendi’s chief financial officer under Messier, who was ousted in July 2002 as the company’s finances crumbled and its debt spiralled out of control.