Paris prosecutors to probe embezzlement of funds by former presidential candidate

Economic crime brigade to investigate if The Republicans party candidate Valerie Pecresse misused public funds to finance her electoral campaign

By Shweta Desai

PARIS (AA) - French prosecution has launched an investigation against politician Valerie Pecresse into possible embezzlement of public funds for the financing of her presidential election campaign, local media reported on Tuesday.

The Paris prosecutor's office on Monday opened a preliminary investigation on "embezzlement of public funds" against Pecresse, who contested presidential elections as the candidate of The Republicans party in April, a report in the BFMTV said.

The economic crime brigade (BRDE) will conduct the investigation into the case.

The action follows a complaint by Greens party leader Julien Bayou to the Paris prosecutor's office in April, in which he alleged Pecresse of illegally procuring funds for her electoral campaign. According to Bayou, Pecresse, who is also the president of the regional council of Ile-de-France (Greater Paris region), allegedly used funds allotted to the region, the report added.

According to BFMTV news, Pecresse denied the allegations and said she will soon file a complaint for "slanderous denunciation."

Kaynak:

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