| Story Views | |
| Now: | |
| Last Hour: | |
| Last 24 Hours: | |
| Total: | |
Nicolas Sarkozy will stand trial for ‘financing an illegal election campaign’, French prosecutors announce
- Sarkozy under investigation for illegal financing of failed 2012 campaign
- Campaign allegedly spent £33million – breaking legal £18.5million limit
- Prosecutors recommend he faces criminal trial for concealing the funds
- Leaves his current campaign to be re-elected next Spring in tatters
By Peter Allen
Nicolas Sarkozy is set to stand criminal trial for running a corrupt campaign to become president of France.
It comes after Paris prosecutors placed the 61-year-old conservative under formal investigation for illegal financing, and recommended he should appear as a defendant in court.
Despite the ongoing enquiry, the leader of the Republic Party was convinced he could still become head of state again next year.
Now, however, Mr Sarkozy is expected to reconsider his options after being indicted for ‘financing an illegal campaign’, which could carry a prison sentence.
Alleged false accounting, fraud and breach of trust are all elements in the so-called Bygmalion Affair.
Bygmalion was the PR firm which handled the notoriously self-promoting Mr Sarkozy’s appearances during his failed 2012 re-election campaign.
It is said to have used a vast system of false accounting to conceal an alleged explosion of funding for his campaign.
It exceeded the legal limit for funds of £18.5 million, with Mr Sarkozy’s team spending the equivalent of at least £33 million.
Philosophers stone – selected views from the boat http://philosophers-stone.co.uk
Source: http://www.philosophers-stone.co.uk/?p=14082
