France’s Fillon hit by fresh scandal

AFP, PARIS: French presidential hopeful Francois Fillon on Sunday faced fresh allegations of misusing public funds following claims that his wife had been paid for a fake parliamentary job.
French investigative website Mediapart reported late Saturday that Fillon had pocketed money personally while a member of the French senate, which he left in 2007.
The website estimated he had “siphoned off” around 25,000 euros ($27,000) from funds earmarked for assistants in the French upper house.
The Journal de Dimanche newspaper said he had written seven cheques to himself between 2005 and 2007 for “a total of around 21,000 euros.”
When contacted by AFP, a spokesperson for Fillon declined to comment, saying only that a judicial process was underway. The claims add to mounting worries for the rightwing Republicans party candidate who had been considered the frontrunner for next April and May’s election.

Frances Fillon hit by fresh scandal

AFP, PARIS: French presidential hopeful Francois Fillon on Sunday faced fresh allegations of misusing public funds following claims that his wife had been paid for a fake parliamentary job. French investigative website Mediapart reported late Saturday that Fillon had pocketed money personally while a member of the French senate, which he left in 2007. The website estimated he had siphoned off around 25,000 euros ($27,000) from funds earmarked for assistants in the French upper house. The Journal de Dimanche newspaper said he had written seven cheques to himself between 2005 and 2007 for a total of around 21,000 euros. When contacted by AFP, a spokesperson for Fillon declined to comment, saying only that a judicial process was underway. The claims add to mounting worries for the rightwing Republicans party candidate who had been considered the frontrunner for next April and Mays election.