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By Chine Labbé
PARIS, Feb 16 (Reuters) - A French investigation into HSBC's Swiss private bank over a suspected tax-dodging schemefor wealthy customers has ended, bringing it a step closer to apossible trial, a judicial source said on Monday.
HSBC last week admitted failings in compliance and controlsin the Swiss unit and faces investigation by U.S. authoritiesand an inquiry by British lawmakers after reports that it helpedcustomers conceal millions of dollars of assets in a period upto 2007.
French magistrates put HSBC Private Bank under formalinvestigation in November. They ended their inquiries on Feb.12, the source said, adding that prosecutors had three months torequest that the bank be sent to trial to answer charges.
The alleged fraud involves some 3,000 French taxpayers.Cases against specific clients of the Swiss bank are already inprogress with 62 cases in the works, according to the daily LeMonde.
On Monday, the tax fraud trial of the heiress of the NinaRicci perfume fortune opened in Paris, one of the first peopleto be tried in France since a list of thousands of clientsalleged to have evaded taxes through HSBC's Swiss private bankbecame public.
Arlette Ricci is suspected of hiding more than $22 millionfrom French tax authorities via a bank account kept by HSBC'sSwiss arm. She is on trial for tax fraud, money laundering andthe crime of fraudulent bankruptcy to avoid tax.
Ricci, 73, who denies the charges, could face up to fiveyears in prison and a 75,000 euro fine. Also on trial are herdaughter and accountant.
A separate French investigation into the bank's parentcompany is continuing. (Reporting by Chine Labbé; Writing by Alexandria Sage; Editingby Mark John/Mark Heinrich)
