Nicolas Fouquet, marquis de Belle-Île, vicomte de Melun et Vaux (January 27, 1615 – March 23, 1680) was the Superintendent of Finances in France under Louis XIV. More importantly, however, he is probably the most spectacular scapegoat in the history of France. Unlike other goats, this specimen doesn't produce milk at all: its usefulness consist in assuming other persons' mistakes.