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Le Pen's chief of staff under formal investigation in EU ‘fake jobs’ probe – judicial source Le Pen's chief of staff under formal investigation in EU ‘fake jobs’ probe – judicial source
(35 minutes later)
The chief of staff of French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen was put under formal investigation in a probe into the alleged misuse of EU money, a judicial source told Reuters.The chief of staff of French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen was put under formal investigation in a probe into the alleged misuse of EU money, a judicial source told Reuters.
Earlier Wednesday, Le Pen’s chief of staff, Catherine Griset, and bodyguard, Thierry Legier, were detained for interrogation in the case.Earlier Wednesday, Le Pen’s chief of staff, Catherine Griset, and bodyguard, Thierry Legier, were detained for interrogation in the case.
Griset and Legier were suspected of being fictitiously employed at the European Parliament as parliamentary assistants, a source familiar with the case told AFP.Griset and Legier were suspected of being fictitiously employed at the European Parliament as parliamentary assistants, a source familiar with the case told AFP.
Prior to the detentions, Le Pen slammed the case as a “political plot” against her, stressing that the voters would never fall for it.Prior to the detentions, Le Pen slammed the case as a “political plot” against her, stressing that the voters would never fall for it.
“The French can tell the difference between genuine scandals and political dirty tricks,” the candidate was cited as saying by Reuters.“The French can tell the difference between genuine scandals and political dirty tricks,” the candidate was cited as saying by Reuters.
Le Pen’s lawyer Marcel Ceccaldi also labeled the probe a “manipulation,” which was aimed at destabilizing her campaign ahead of the vote.Le Pen’s lawyer Marcel Ceccaldi also labeled the probe a “manipulation,” which was aimed at destabilizing her campaign ahead of the vote.
The National Front’s headquarters were raided by police Monday when Le Pen was on a trip abroad as part of the same investigation.The National Front’s headquarters were raided by police Monday when Le Pen was on a trip abroad as part of the same investigation.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW Earlier, the European Parliament ordered Le Pen to pay back a total of 336,146 euros ($353,000) to compensate for improper payments.
However, she refused to return the funds, appealing the decision and saying that the jobs of her staff were legitimate.