Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Chirac Must Stand Trial on Corruption Charges

Allegations go back to his days as mayor of Paris

By the Associated Press

Posted Oct 30, 2009 9:15 AM CDT

(AP) – Former French President Jacques Chirac has been ordered to stand trial in an alleged corruption scandal dating back to his time as Paris mayor—a case that caught up with him in retirement once he lost the judicial immunity of France's highest office. A magistrate ordered Chirac, whose 12-year presidency ended in 2007, to stand trial on charges of embezzlement and breach of trust.

The judge's decision today surprised many. The prosecutor's office had requested that the case be dropped, saying the statute of limitations had expired on many of the events in question. A prosecutor could still appeal. Among other things, Chirac is accused of giving members of his inner circle phony jobs on the Paris payroll. If convicted, the 76-year-old faces up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines.

Former French President Jacques Chirac in a 2001 file photo.
Former French President Jacques Chirac in a 2001 file photo.   (AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic-File)
Former French President Jacques Chirac in a 2008 file photo.
Former French President Jacques Chirac in a 2008 file photo.   (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Sterling_Archer
Oct 30, 2009 4:13 AM CDT
Those crazy European countries with their insane "socialist" ideas like prosecuting people that broke the law while in office. No place for that in American, right Republicans? ; )
Sterling_Archer
Oct 30, 2009 4:07 AM CDT
Now there's a concept we need to relearn: No one is above the law! So sad that France has the common sense to prosecute people who broke the law while in office, and we don't. God Bless America!
my-name-here
Oct 30, 2009 3:30 AM CDT
A functioning democracy prosecuting a corrupt, former, top official? That couldn't happen here in the states! It seems we love our officials corrupt. Lying, cheating, thievery, hell, even pointless killing. All committed and gotten away with scott-free. NOBODY does it better than we do.

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

More Newser Stories

France Finds Chirac Guilty of Corruption

As Cuba Opens Up, Castro Hits Corruption

French Built Fake Paris to Fool German Bombers

Firebombed Paper's Cover Now Boasts a Kissing Muslim

Meteorite Hits Paris Home


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne