At the time, the Paris Court of Appeal sentenced François Fillon to four years in prison – including one year – as well as a fine of 375,000 euros. Same sum for his wife Pénélope, employed as a parliamentary assistant to François Fillon while he was deputy for Sarthe for around ten years, a job of which the investigation struggled to trace.
This sentence, not confirmed by the Court of Cassation, will have to be re-examined by the Paris Court of Appeal. But here is François Fillon proposing to “return the money”in his words, precisely 689,000 euros. This sum corresponds to the amount of damages that the court ordered the Fillon couple to pay to the National Assembly, during the appeal trial two years ago.
Put on a good face before the review of your sentence
François Fillon had not reimbursed anything to the Assembly until then, because he had decided to contest this judgment. But in the spring, the Court of Cassation confirmed his guilt for “embezzlement of public funds”, simply requesting a new trial to discuss the sentences. This hearing is scheduled to take place in two weeks. Tuesday, November 12, François Fillon proposed to the Palais Bourbon to “return the money”.
Discussions began several months ago, after the decision of the Court of Cassation. François Fillon proposes to pay these nearly 700,000 euros in installments, over 10 years. On the National Assembly side, it is specified that the memorandum of understanding has not yet been finalized, but that it is on track.
Pierre de Cossette's explanations, edited by Carol Sandevoir.
