Jailed Elf scam boss freed on medical grounds

PARIS, April 8 (AFP) – A Paris court on Thursday ordered the release on medical grounds of Loik le Floch-Prigent, the former head of the French oil group Elf sentenced to five years in jail for corruption, his lawyer said.

Le Floch-Prigent, who is 60, suffers from the skin disease psoriasis. Under the terms of his release he must remain at his home or at the hospital where he receives treatment.

Along with two other senior officials from the formerly state-owned concern, he was found guilty in November of making a personal fortune by dipping into illicit slush funds run by the company.