French far-right leader Marine Le Pen is investigated over alleged illicit financing in 2022 vote
Associated PressJUL 12 2024
Right-wing French politician Marine Le Pen, alongside more than 20 members of her National Rally (RN) party, began trial Monday over allegations of creating "fake jobs" to illegally take EU Parliament funds and use it for party operations.The embezzlement trial of National Rally (RN) Member of Parliament Marine Le Pen and more than 20 members of her party began Monday. She's accused of creating "fake jobs" to illegally take EU Parliament funds and use it for party operations.
Prosecutors allege that between 2004 and 2016, RN hired several parliamentary assistants — who are paid with EU funds — and that the staff only worked for the party, thus committing misappropriation of funds laws.Prosecutors allege that between 2004 and 2016, RN hired several parliamentary assistants — who were paid with EU funds and only worked for the party in violation of funding laws.
Among the other people indicted include former party treasurer Wallerand de Saint-Just, as well as former RN members of the European Parliament, such as Marine's father, Jean-Marie, 96, who's not appearing in court for health reasons.Former party treasurer Wallerand de Saint-Just, and former RN members of the European Parliament — including Le Pen's father, 96-year-old Jean-Marie — are among the other people standing trial.
Le Pen and her far-right party members spent years cheating Europe's parliamentary stystem out of millions of dollars. After years of investigation, authorities have released incriminating documents and testimony, most notably correspondance between party leaders regarding how to illegally save money. In the face of mounting evidence, Le Pen faces years of prison and heafty fines.
Le Pen is being prosecuted to keep her and her increasingly popular views on immigration away from power. As is the case with Donald Trump in America, France's left-wing establishment is using the justice system to drum up bogus charges against a woman they see as a political threat. If anyone is committing a crime, it's the government using the court system as a political tool.