Nicolas Sarkozy Sentenced to 1 year for illegal Election Funding

France – Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty of illegally funding the 2012 election campaign (the one he lost to François Hollande) and sentenced to one year in prison without parole, the maximum penalty. Furthermore, the Paris court stated that he would carry out a sentence under the electronic surveillance regime. The former French President will therefore not go to prison. Still, Sarkozy will be subjected to the measurement of the electronic bracelet, provided that the conviction and sentence are confirmed on appeal, already presented.

The “Pygmalion case” is a system of double invoicing that aimed to hide the overrun of electoral expenses. Nicolas Sarkozy was not held responsible for the billing, which he did not deal with, but “he knew the amount of the ceiling, he knew that it should not exceed it,” said the President of the court, Caroline Viguier. But he continued with the organization of the rallies, allowed new initiatives and voluntarily omitted, as a candidate, to exercise control over expenses”. Pygmalion is the company’s name organizing events to which Sarkozy’s UMP party, then President in office, had addressed. Although the ceiling for the candidate’s campaign who reached the second round was set at 22 million euros, Sarkozy exceeded it by about 16 million.

Related Posts

The former head of state was not present at the reading of the sentence, and during the trial, which took place last spring for about a month, he only attended the hearings once. The prosecutors had then criticized his “ease,” similar to the “ease of his campaign.” Sarkozy’s line of defense has always said that he is unaware of the overshoot and, above all, the false invoices made to mask it. “I am responsible politically, administratively, but not criminally,” the former President said last June. The only UMP executive to have recognized the fraud was Jérôme Lavrilleux, present in court and sentenced to three years in prison, one of which with parole. Lavrilleux is one of 13 party leaders to be convicted of conspiracy.

Last March, Sarkozy had already been sentenced, in another trial for the “Bismuth case,” of corruption and abuse of office to three years in prison, two of which with parole, thus becoming the first president emeritus of the Fifth Republic to come sentenced to jail. Sarkozy appealed for that conviction and pleaded for this too. The process is therefore not finished and will resume in a few months.

EU Reporter

As vast is the European region, the more diverse are the developments and news that are to be known. I bring to table the news and political affairs from region to your screens.

Recent Posts

Rosé & Bruno Mars: APT. Live Debut at MAMA Awards

K-pop star Rosé and Bruno Mars will perform their viral hit APT. live for the first time today at the… Read More

November 22, 2024

“We Will See”: Ronaldo on Playing with Cristiano Jr.

Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at a dream that has fans buzzing—playing professional football alongside his son, Cristiano Jr. In a… Read More

November 22, 2024

Canadian Authorities Accuse Indian Agents of Serious Crimes

The government of Canada has responded to a recent media report linking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the killing of… Read More

November 22, 2024

Fewer Americans Apply for Unemployment, but Challenges Persist

The Labor Department reported on Thursday that new jobless claims fell by 6,000 to 213,000 for the week of November… Read More

November 21, 2024

Judge Stanalonis Appointed County Administrative Judge for St. Mary’s Circuit Court

Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader of the Supreme Court of Maryland has named Judge Joseph M. Stanalonis as the county… Read More

November 21, 2024

Coachella 2025: Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, Travis Scott to Headline

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is back in 2025 with an incredible lineup. Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post… Read More

November 21, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More