The former government minister faces a formal investigation on allegations of organized fraud.
Tapie spent four days and nights in police custody this week to answer questions. Judges filed charges against him for organized fraud regarding a contested state payout of 400 million Euros ($520 million) in 2008.
The problem began years ago when Tapie alleged that the formerly state-owned bank Crédit Lyonnais cheated him when his company sold Adidas. Tapie sued.
Former president Sarkozy decided to end the legal battle in favor of private arbitration. Investigators are trying to determine if the odds were unfairly stacked in Tapie’s favor, the New York Times reports.
The legal drama is one of the largest corruption scandals in French history. Three additional people are also subjects of this investigation of the out-of-court settlement.
Christine Lagarde, leader of the International Monetary Fund, is also embroiled in the controversy. Investigators are trying to determine if she broke the law by allowing private arbitration and an out-of-court settlement in the Adidas case.
Lagarde denies any wrongdoing.
"Do I look like the sort of person to be pally with Tapie?" Lagarde told The Guardian.