- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

French National Assembly President Ferrand Under Formal Investigation In Financial Impropriety Case

© REUTERS / Gonzalo FuentesRichard Ferrand, General Secretary of the political movement En Marche !, or Onwards !, leaves the campaign headquarters of French President Elect Emmanuel Macron after results in the second round vote of the 2017 French presidential elections, in Paris, France, May 7, 2017.
Richard Ferrand, General Secretary of the political movement En Marche !, or Onwards !, leaves the campaign headquarters of French President Elect Emmanuel Macron after results in the second round vote of the 2017 French presidential elections, in Paris, France, May 7, 2017. - Sputnik International
Subscribe
French National Assembly President Richard Ferrand - reportedly a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron - was questioned earlier on Wednesday by investigating judges over allegations of improper acquisition of interest, local media reported, citing sources.

Ferrand was later put under formal investigation in a financial impropriety case, according to a National Assembly statement.

Ferrand, who was probed in 2017 on suspicion of nepotism during his time as the head of a medical insurance firm in Brittany, stepped down earlier as Minister of Territorial Cohesion.

According to the French prosecution, Ferrand’s partner and ex-wife were reportedly able to win contracts from the fund while Ferrand was at its head. Ferrand’s partner also rented office space for the fund, later securing a business loan with the help of rental income from the organization.

Macron’s administration has repeatedly rejected speculation on a possible resignation by the minister in connection to the investigation.

The Ferrand scandal broke out after local media published revelations of him making a business deal with his romantic partner and employing his son as a parliamentary assistant.

According to French law, being "put under formal investigation" means there is "serious or consistent evidence" that points to the probable involvement of a suspect in a crime.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала