BY INTI LANDAURO AND NOEMIE BISSERBE

The French company at the heart of a health scandal over faulty breast implants repeatedly misled and tricked authorities, who themselves neglected several warning signs, a French government report said Wednesday.

The 175-page report said health authorities were alerted as far back as 1996 about anomalies, such as ruptures, involving implants made by the company, Poly Implant Prothèses.

"Women, health professionals and health authorities have been victims of a big scam," the report said.

Upon receiving the report, French Health Minister Xavier Bertrand vowed to reinforce government supervision of all medical devices.

The government will "increase the number of inspectors, ...