'Rogue trader' assistant probed

Mr Kerviel was released on bail in March

Jerome Kerviel's assistant has become the second person to be probed in the Societe Generale rogue trader scandal.

Thomas Mougard has been placed under formal investigation for complicity in introducing fraudulent data into a computer system, say officials.

This gives judges time to pursue the investigation, but will not necessarily lead to a trial.

Societe Generale alleges Mr Kerviel lost 4.9bn euros ($7.6bn; £3.9bn) making unauthorised trades.

An internal report by SocGen found "signs of internal complicity' by Mr Kerviel's assistant.

Mr Kerviel himself is currently free on bail and is under investigation for breach of trust, computer abuse and falsification.

He has denied doing anything wrong and claims that the bank knew what he was doing but was happy as long as he was making money.