The "pathéthique needle in a haystack" by Jean-Marie Messier

The email, signed by Jean-Marie Messier, was dated Sunday, June 30, 2002 at 10 am 23. It may look like a formal letter stating the last wishes of a CEO for a stay. The paper brings to light the scenes is a bit petty negotiations after leaving the group.

That Sunday, Jean-Marie Messier knows he was dropped by the main shareholders. The accounts of Vivendi Universal are in the red. A loss of 13.6 billion euros has been announced. While three days before a board of directors has rejected a narrow majority vote of no confidence against him, he is preparing to resign officially. His departure seems to be the only solution to reassure markets that have become hostile to personality and promises disappointed "J2M.

This Sunday morning, Jean-Marie Messier is therefore sending an email to one of his lawyers."Then I will summarize the points that I want to have all the details?", Begins the missive in a list. First point: "check the proper treatment" of several close aides including Xavier Couture, then CEO of Canal +. Third point: "ensure a legal cover" and an "unlimited coverage for legal fees. To pay them, said in a parenthesis Jean-Marie Messier, "it must be shielded." Other points: provide "social security coverage for my family," fees for the apartment in New York, to benefit from 20 hours per year of flights on aircraft or group chair the ceremony films were made by several Filmmakers on September 11."They are small and big important things," says the e-mail Sunday morning.

Reading this list by the presiding judge is not likely to put at ease Jean-Marie Messier. "It is both a needle in a haystack and it has a pathetic," he explains at the helm. I decided to leave VU but I was still looking for ways to hang myself by mentioning the date of such board or of the projection of films on September 11. Rereading it after eight years, is baroque! ".

The former CEO has said he resigned from the group by letter on the night of Sunday to Monday without worrying about the conditions of his departure quick pay day loan.He had refused a golden parachute clause inserted in his contract after the merger with Seagram, Vivendi, "yet it was the practice in American companies," says he. And he was not at the time of signing his resignation guarantees on his departure: "My decision was to leave and was independent of contract terms," he repeats at least four times in court.

Four days later, July 3, 2002, we find the time to file a handwritten letter addressed to the administrators group."J2M" indignant that he was asked to "make a decision that breaks his professional life," that is, to resign, that he was "promised straight in the eye to treat honorably" but ultimately it is a question not to grant him his starting conditions.

"This letter is not a boss but someone lost, lost, who knows what to do," justifies this time "J2M. The terms of his departure he has finally provided a driver, health coverage for five years and a sum of 18.6 million euros, a sum never touched, an arbitration in New York who stopped in the middle flight this "golden parachute". This short list is at the center of a prosecution for abuse of corporate assets

On this point, the court is no longer the place of the feelings by writing an email Sunday morning dark.At the bar in the courtroom sunny, Jean-Marie Messier adjusts his expressions when the time comes to discuss these golden parachutes to CEOs French inspired 2000s counterparts américiains. He uses a clear voice and clear expression. "I know the media sensitivity when you mention these matters, argues the former CEO. But I mean there was no prejudice. I acted in good faith. For the rest, I had no hand. I thank you for Vivendi Universal.

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