Vivendi Calls Group’s Charges ‘Groundless’

Vivendi Universal said allegations by an association of small shareholders that minutes of a board meeting were falsified were “completely groundless” and “libelous.”

The group, called Appac, has filed a complaint claiming the company’s senior management forged documents.

“There are no inconsistencies or falsifications in the minutes or extracts of minutes,” Vivendi said.

Appac last month asked during a hearing in Paris that Chief Executive Jean-Rene Fourtou, his predecessor, Jean-Marie Messier, and former Chief Operating Officer Eric Licoys personally pay $50 million for a Securities and Exchange Commission settlement and Messier’s legal fees.