Data Theft Investigation Involves Former Intern and Journalist in Paris
A former intern at a Parisian law firm has been indicted for data theft, leading to a significant investigation that also involved a journalist, Philippe Miller, who was briefly detained. The intern, whose identity has not been disclosed, faces charges including theft of confidential data, violation of professional secrecy, and breach of electronic correspondence secrecy. She has been placed under judicial supervision following her indictment on December 7, 2024.
The investigation began after the law firm Ziegler et Associés filed a complaint regarding the intern's alleged misconduct. The firm accused Miller, who writes under a pseudonym for the website Warning Trading, of receiving stolen goods and complicity in the theft. Miller was detained for 48 hours but was released without prosecution. He stated that he did not answer police questions to protect his sources, emphasizing the importance of journalistic confidentiality.
Miller described the arrest as cinematic, recalling how plainclothes officers approached him and his source at a restaurant in Belleville, Paris. He expressed astonishment at the aggressive tactics used by the police, which included seizing his personal belongings such as his phone and notebook. His lawyers criticized the actions of the Paris prosecutor's office, claiming they obstructed the freedom of the press and likening the situation to practices seen in authoritarian regimes.
The law firm has previously faced scrutiny, with reports of disciplinary actions taken against it by the Paris Bar Association. Miller has been investigating the firm's practices, which he claims include identity theft and fraudulent activities. He insists that his article, which prompted the investigation, was written independently of the intern, whom he did not know prior to the incident.
