France: Sarkozy Questioned Over Campaign Funds

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/23/world/europe/france-sarkozy-questioned-over-campaign-funds.html

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After more than 10 hours of questioning by an investigative judge in Bordeaux on Thursday, former President Nicolas Sarkozy was put under caution as a witness who could face charges related to accusations that his 2007 election campaign received illegal donations from one of France’s richest people, Liliane Bettencourt, the L’Oréal heiress. Mr. Sarkozy was not formally indicted but questioned as a witness under caution, meaning that evidence obtained could be used against him in a future prosecution, the Bordeaux prosecutor told French news agencies. The accusations stem from Mr. Sarkozy’s first presidential campaign; no longer president, he has lost his legal immunity. Mr. Sarkozy denies that he took any money from Ms. Bettencourt, now 90, or that his campaign benefited from any illegal fund-raising. Ms. Bettencourt’s former accountant told the police that she handed over 150,000 euros (about $192,000) in cash and was told the money would go to the Sarkozy campaign. Mr. Sarkozy’s party, the center-right Union for a Popular Movement, is in the midst of a prolonged and bitter leadership fight. A Sarkozy protégé, Jean-François Copé, and a former prime minister, François Fillon, both claim victory in an internal party vote. Reports on Thursday said Alain Juppé, a former prime minister and foreign minister who helped found the party, would serve as a mediator. Mr. Sarkozy’s own popularity has been rising again.