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New York-area Knicks and Rangers fans who have been blacked out of games this month on the Optimum cable TV network can partly blame a scandal-scarred French billionaire – and his dispute with Knicks owner James Dolan is just a tiny slice of his problems.Telecom mogul Patrick Drahi, the CEO of Optimum’s France-based parent Altice, has been at loggerheads with Dolan, CEO of Sphere Entertainment Co., which oversees Madison Square Garden Networks, over the latter’s contract with Optimum.While Dolan’s presence on the New York sports scene is well documented, Drahi has been embroiled in multiple scandals overseas that have put his debt-ridden empire on the brink of collapse, according to multiple media reports.Drahi’s longtime business partner and Altice co-founder Armando Pereira faces corruption and procurement fraud charges in Portugal that have led to the suspension or dismissal of over 15 Altice employees and the blacklisting of certain vendors.Pereira, who remains under house arrest, has denied the allegations.Drahi has not been charged, but his close relationship with Pereira has raised concerns about Altice’s governance.The 61-year-old entrepreneur does face scrutiny from Swiss authorities for allegedly faking a separation from his wife for tax benefits.Additionally, Tatiana Agova-Bregou, a senior executive at Altice France, is under scrutiny for allegedly receiving a luxury Paris apartment worth $1.78 million through questionable means.Drahi’s net worth has plunged to $7 billion after being estimated at $22 billion in 2015, according to Forbes.The Post has sought comment from Altice and Drahi.With billions in loans coming due, Drahi is now in damage-control mode, seeking to restructure his empire before it’s too late.To avoid default, Altice has reportedly engaged major banks – Goldman Sachs, Lazard, BNP Paribas and Morgan Stanley – to facilitate asset sales.This shift from acquisition to divestment represents a drastic reversal for the billi...