Jacques Correze, a longtime U.S.-based executive for the L'Oreal cosmetics giant, died hours after announcing his resignation because of new allegations he collaborated with the Nazis in occupied France.
Correze, 79, died Wednesday after being hospitalized in Paris for weeks with pancreatic cancer. His death was announced later by business associates.Shortly before his death, Correze issued a statement announcing his resignation as chairman of Cosmair Inc., which handles U.S. marketing for L'Oreal, the world's largest cosmetics firm.
Correze served five years in prison after being convicted by a post-World War II tribunal of collaborating with the Nazis in France.
New allegations surfaced recently that Correze helped evict French Jews from their stores and homes during the German occupation.