Paris prosecutors began the investigation in 2016, saying they wanted to establish whether the then-National Front had used money meant for MEPs’ aides to pay staff working for the party.
The prosecutor’s office of Paris announced today that the head of the French far-right Marine Le Pen and 23 other members of her party they should stand trial on charges of misusing EU funds, escalating a seven-year investigation.
The Paris prosecutor’s office opened the investigation in December 2016, saying that wants to establish whether the then National Front had used money intended for assistant MEPs to pay staff working for the party.
MEPs are given money to cover expensesincluding for the fees of their partners, but this money is not allowed to be used for party expenses.
Le Pen denies guilt
Le Pen’s party, now called National Alarm, denies any wrongdoing.
“We question this position, as it seems this is a misunderstanding of the work of opposition MPs and their associateswhich is above all political,” the party said in a statement to Reuters.
Le Pen faces a possible 10-year prison sentencea fine of one million euros and, as she is an elected official, inability to be elected to public office for 10 years, announced by the prosecutor’s office.
Source :Skai
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