Whistleblower Files Complaint with Le Défenseur des Droits

PARIS - May 17, 2025 - PRLog -- Paris, France – John L. Ricks, a U.S. Air Force veteran and former employee of Epsilon Data Management LLC, a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Publicis Groupe S.A., has formally filed a whistleblower complaint with Le Défenseur des droits, the French Republic's constitutional authority charged with safeguarding civil liberties, non-discrimination, and ethical governance.

The complaint—registered on May 14, 2025, under file number 25-W-015918—raises urgent concerns about retaliatory actions allegedly authorized by Publicis Groupe or its agents, including the use of false felony allegations, attempted federal referrals, and surveillance of protected whistleblower communications. The underlying dispute began with a civil rights complaint filed in Michigan in December 2023 and has since expanded to include filings with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC Whistleblower Submission #17460-568-252-828).

Mr. Ricks alleges that senior management at Epsilon, with knowledge or acquiescence from Publicis Groupe executives, retaliated against him for raising concerns about racial discrimination, ADA violations, and ethical irregularities within client service operations. Despite multiple efforts to resolve the matter discreetly and through proper internal channels, no investigation was initiated by Publicis Groupe.

Mr. Ricks left Epsilon in May 2024 under what he describes as "constructive duress." Since then, he has documented a sustained campaign of retaliation and reputational containment, including a formal accusation of felony extortion by Epsilon's external counsel—an action he asserts was baseless and made solely to suppress protected disclosures.

Now, with the matter reaching France and landing before a constitutional authority with investigatory powers, the implications may reach far beyond a single employment dispute. The complaint cites Loi Sapin II, the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive (2019/1937), and Articles 17, 18, and 435-1 of the French Penal Code as potential frameworks under which Publicis Groupe may be held to account.

Further details, including supporting documentation, legal correspondence, and evidence submitted to Le Défenseur des droits, are available upon request.

Media Contact:

John L. Ricks, MBA, M.A. Communication
Adjunct Faculty, Cleary University
U.S. Air Force Veteran | Air Medal Recipient | OEF 2001 / OIF 2003
Email: ricks.john@outlook.com
Phone: +1 646-397-2003 | +1 313-542-2503

This release is intended for media distribution in France and the European Union and may be cited in accordance with applicable journalistic standards.