Fabius' Son Held for Forgery, Fraud, Money Laundering

The son of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was taken into custody on Tuesday as part of a probe into forgery, fraud and money laundering, police sources told AFP.

A preliminary investigation into Thomas Fabius' financial affairs was opened in France in 2013, with police particularly interested in his purchase of a seven million euro ($7.6 million) Paris apartment.

A police source said the apartment, which was searched Tuesday, had raised alarms over money laundering.

Thomas Fabius' lawyer confirmed he was in custody but would not comment further.

The 34-year-old son of France's top diplomat is wanted in the United States for allegedly writing bouncing checks at a Las Vegas casino.

Thomas Fabius wrote checks for more than $3.5 million (3.2 million euros) to cover gambling debts on the night of May 15, 2012, according to an arrest warrant seen in October by AFP. 

His father, a former Socialist prime minister, was appointed France's foreign minister in May 2012.

Often photographed at high-flying parties, Thomas has spent millions of dollars in casinos in the past.

His high-profile father received a standing ovation in France's National Assembly on Tuesday for his efforts in negotiating a historic climate deal in Paris agreed by 195 countries.