The former leader of France’s right-wing National Rally has rejected claims that the party’s MEPs embezzled funds
Right-wing French politician Marine Le Pen appeared in a Paris court on Monday to stand trial over allegations that senior members of the party she formerly headed, the National Rally, embezzled €3 million ($3.3 million) in EU funds.
According to French authorities, the alleged scheme ran between 2004 and 2016, and involved lawmakers from the National Front (as the party was then known) in the European Parliament fictitiously employing 20 assistants who simultaneously held positions within the party.
The assistants allegedly did not conduct EU-related work and spent most of their time in France, while still receiving EU payments. The practice is illegal under EU parliament rules.
Le Pen, who was an MEP between 2004 and 2017, stands accused of listing her bodyguard and chief of staff as her assistants.
Her father and former National Front president, Jean-Marie Le Pen, is also standing trial, along with a former party treasurer, three former party vice-presidents, a former party secretary general, and a spokesperson.
Right-wing French politician Marine Le Pen appeared in a Paris court on Monday to stand trial over allegations that senior members of the party she formerly headed, the National Rally, embezzled €3 million ($3.3 million) in EU funds.
According to French authorities, the alleged scheme ran between 2004 and 2016, and involved lawmakers from the National Front (as the party was then known) in the European Parliament fictitiously employing 20 assistants who simultaneously held positions within the party.
The assistants allegedly did not conduct EU-related work and spent most of their time in France, while still receiving EU payments. The practice is illegal under EU parliament rules.
Le Pen, who was an MEP between 2004 and 2017, stands accused of listing her bodyguard and chief of staff as her assistants.
Her father and former National Front president, Jean-Marie Le Pen, is also standing trial, along with a former party treasurer, three former party vice-presidents, a former party secretary general, and a spokesperson.
