Penelope affair: before his appeal trial, François Fillon returns the money

According to information published by BFM TV this Tuesday, the National Assembly received from François Fillon a reimbursement proposal of 679,989.32 euros, equivalent to the damage suffered by the lower house as a result of the employment, for fourteen years, of Penelope Fillon as parliamentary assistant to her husband and his deputy Marc Joulaud. A reimbursement which would be spread over ten years.

This news comes as the former candidate for the presidential election must be retried by the Paris Court of Appeal on November 25. Convicted at first instance then on appeal in 2022, his judgment was partially overturned by the Court of Cassation in April 2024: his guilt is confirmed but the sentence (375,000 euros fine, four years in prison including one year suspended) must be re-examined.

A “gesture” before his appeal trial

Through this announcement effect, François Fillon wishes to show that he accepts his conviction, adopting collaborative behavior that he will want to promote before the court of appeal. “To avoid too heavy a sanction, Fillon wants to present himself in his best light. By showing that he understood the facts and finally planned to return the money,” said a source close to the matter to BFMTV.

But will this proposal be accepted? Its spread over ten years, without interest, would have been negotiated over several months but before the dissolution last June. It was notably agreed by the quaestors of the former legislature (composed of two Macronist deputies and Éric Ciotti, then Les Républicains deputy), responsible for administrative and financial management in the National Assembly, not to apply interest on repayment.

With the new composition of the questure – Christine Pirès Beaune (PS), Brigitte Klinkert (Renaissance) and Michèle Tabarot (LR) – François Fillon's proposal could no longer satisfy the Assembly.