Financial prosecutor opens investigation into Fillon's wife
Posted January 25, 2017 6:00 am
PARIS (AP) - France's financial prosecutor office says it has launched a probe into claims that presidential hopeful Francois Fillon's wife was paid about 500,000 euros (more than $535,000) from parliamentary funds.
The prosecutor's office opened its investigation on suspected grounds of embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds just hours after Le Canard Enchaine newspaper reported that Penelope Fillon earned the money over eight years as a parliamentary aide to her husband during his tenure as a lawmaker.
It's not illegal for French legislators to hire their relatives as long as they are genuinely employed. Fillon, who has been championing transparency in his campaign, denied any wrongdoing.
FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 25, 2016 file picture, Penelope Fillon, wife of Francois Fillon, a candidate in Sunday's primary runoff to select a conservative candidate for the French presidential election, applauds during a campaign rally in Paris, France. French presidential hopeful Francois Fillon's so far smooth campaign has hit its first hurdle after claims that his wife was paid about half a million euro with parliamentary funds emerged. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009 file picture, France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon and his wife Penelope attend a canonization ceremony led by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. French presidential hopeful Francois Fillon's so far smooth campaign has hit its first hurdle after claims that his wife was paid about half a million euro with parliamentary funds emerged. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)
The Associated Press