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Ex-French PM Fillon, His Wife Charged With Embezzling State Funds – Reports

© REUTERS / Benoit Tessierrancois Fillon, former French Prime Minister, member of the Republicans political party and 2017 French presidential election candidate of the French centre-right, and his wife Penelope attend a political rally in Paris, France, April 9, 2017
rancois Fillon, former French Prime Minister, member of the Republicans political party and 2017 French presidential election candidate of the French centre-right, and his wife Penelope attend a political rally in Paris, France, April 9, 2017 - Sputnik International
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Former French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and his wife have been charged with embezzlement of state funds, BFMTV reported on Friday citing sources.

According to the BFMTV broadcaster, Fillon was charged with embezzlement of state funds over giving fake jobs to members of his family. The ex-premier was charged with complicity, concealment and neglect of his duties when filing tax returns.

Francois Fillon and his wife are now expected to face court over "embezzlement of public funds", "complicity and concealment of embezzlement of public funds", "concealment and complicity in abuse of corporate assets" and "breaches of reporting obligations to the High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life (HATVP). " His wife, indicted on March 28, 2017, is suspected of "complicity and concealment of embezzlement of public funds, complicity and concealment of abuse of property and concealment of aggravated fraud." Two other people were indicted: Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière and Marc Joulaud.

READ MORE: Defeated Fillon Refuses to Lead His Party in Next Elections

In early 2017, Fillon was accused of having employed his wife Penelope and two of their children as parliamentary assistants for which they were paid while reportedly doing little to no work. According to media reports, they were paid about 800,000 euros ($871,200) in taxpayer money over the course of 20 years for their jobs as parliamentary assistants.

READ MORE: French Media Requested to Submit Articles on Fillon's Wife in Fake Job Probe

These allegations became a disruptive element of his presidential campaign and worked to Macron's benefit.

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