Found guilty of embezzlement of public funds in the case of fictitious employment of his wife Pénélope, François Fillon will return nearly 700,000 euros.
“Return the money!” had become an expression aimed at François Fillon in 2017, when Le Canard Enchaîné revealed that he was embezzling public money using the fictitious employment of his partner, Pénélope. On April 24, 2024, François Fillon was found guilty by the Court of Cassation of embezzlement of public funds.
BFMTV reveals that the politician wishes to propose paying this sum to the National Assembly, information confirmed by Franceinfo. A payment of exactly 679,989.32 euros, which in reality corresponds to the damages that he is obliged to submit after his conviction (plus 10,000 euros in legal costs). This enormous sum will not be given all at once, the payment could be spread over 10 years. This proposal has not yet been accepted, because the National Assembly must still obtain guarantees that François Fillon will be able to pay, even in 10 years.
A second trial in November
Why does François Fillon communicate about his guilt and his promise of reimbursement, several months after his conviction? Because a second trial awaits him on Monday November 25, 2024.
In April 2024, François Fillon was sentenced to four years of imprisonment, including a prison sentence under an electronic bracelet. A sanction that the politician hopes to lighten on November 25, during this second trial aimed solely at reviewing his sentence. The amount that François Fillon must repay will not be on the agenda, the 700,000 euros will have to be returned whatever happens, one way or another.
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