Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) said its French headquarters received a statement of objections Friday from the French government agency charged with investigating fraud and competition violations. The statement alleges information sharing between Manpower and its competitors, the company said. Adecco SA also said on Friday it received a statement of objections from the French agency.

The statement stems from a complaint made in 2003 that brought an investigation in 2004, it said. The investigation involved Manpower, Adecco, and Vedior NV, French offices of all three were searched in 2004. At the time, Manpower said officials were looking "for evidence of price fixing and allocation of market share within the French market."

Manpower said the statement of objections is one step in French proceedings and it will have a chance to respond.

Adecco said Friday the French agency could issue a fine.