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Chirac formally probed over scam | Chirac formally probed over scam |
(31 minutes later) | |
Former French President Jacques Chirac is facing formal investigation for alleged embezzlement of public funds when mayor of Paris, his lawyer says. | Former French President Jacques Chirac is facing formal investigation for alleged embezzlement of public funds when mayor of Paris, his lawyer says. |
The case relates to a scheme whereby rightist sympathisers were allegedly given jobs by Paris city hall. | The case relates to a scheme whereby rightist sympathisers were allegedly given jobs by Paris city hall. |
Earlier, Mr Chirac faced three hours of questioning by a judge investigating the alleged irregularities. | |
Mr Chirac has consistently denied any wrongdoing while he was mayor of the capital between 1977 and 1995. | Mr Chirac has consistently denied any wrongdoing while he was mayor of the capital between 1977 and 1995. |
He lost immunity from investigation after he left the presidency in May. | |
Artificial salaries | |
Mr Chirac has now been placed under formal investigation, said his lawyer Jean Veil. | |
This means judges believe there is enough evidence against a suspect to proceed with a more exhaustive investigation, which may or may not culminate in a trial. | |
Mr Veil said an interview conducted by a magistrate with his client on Wednesday morning had been conducted in "the best possible atmosphere", AFP news agency reported. | |
This investigation relates to allegations that during Mr Chirac's time as mayor of Paris, up to 40 people were paid salaries by the city authority despite having had no connection to it. | |
They are alleged to have been supporters of Mr Chirac's own conservative RPR political grouping. | |
Reports say 21 people in total have been formally implicated in the scam. | |
Newspaper defence | |
The former French president has always denied wrongdoing. In an article in the French paper, Le Monde, on Wednesday Mr Chirac maintained that he had only ever hired "men and women of quality" to work for Paris. | |
Scores of people have been disgraced by the courts in party funding trials, including several of Mr Chirac's own close associates. | Scores of people have been disgraced by the courts in party funding trials, including several of Mr Chirac's own close associates. |
Mr Chirac was questioned by a magistrate in July over another funding scandal. |