Marine Le Pen Denies Embezzlement Charges in EU Funds Case
Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN), has categorically denied allegations of embezzling European Union funds during her first court appearance regarding a scandal involving fictitious jobs. Le Pen, along with 27 other party members and employees, is facing trial in Paris for allegedly misusing EU funds to support domestic political activities from 2006 to 2016. The European Parliament has stated that the funds in question should have been allocated for EU staff salaries, estimating the total amount allegedly embezzled at around €7 million.
When questioned about the charges against her, Le Pen asserted, "Everything we did, we had the right to do," and claimed she felt no sense of having committed even the slightest irregularity. She firmly denies any wrongdoing, asserting that a conviction could result in a prison sentence, a substantial fine, and a five-year disqualification from holding political office, which would jeopardize her potential presidential bid in 2027.
During her testimony, Le Pen took the opportunity to criticize the European Parliament, describing it as a "slow-moving alien blob" reminiscent of the 1958 film 'The Blob.' She remarked, "Everything in the European Parliament is designed to ensure that MEPs live in a vacuum," emphasizing the need for politicians to engage more meaningfully with voters and the outside world.
Le Pen is currently on trial alongside several key figures, including her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who founded the National Front (FN), now known as the RN, and other prominent party members. Notably, Jean-Marie Le Pen, at 96 years old, will not be present due to health issues.
The allegations surfaced in January 2014, when the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) initiated an investigation after receiving an anonymous tip-off concerning possible fraud and fictitious employment linked to Le Pen and others. Among those investigated were her bodyguard, Thierry Légier, and her chief of staff, Catherine Griset. Reports indicated that Griset, during her tenure as Le Pen's parliamentary assistant, worked very limited hours at the European Parliament, raising further questions about the validity of her employment.
In March 2015, the investigation expanded after then-European Parliament President Martin Schulz highlighted potential irregularities related to salaries paid to assorted assistants linked to the FN. This led Schulz to refer the matter to the French Justice Ministry.
When pressed about how she selected and assigned tasks to her parliamentary aides, Le Pen provided vague responses, attributing her inability to remember specifics to the passage of time, stating, "It was 20 years ago."
Previously, Le Pen criticized the allegations as "deeply unfair" and maintained her confidence in the party's innocence. Ahead of her court session, a party spokesperson expressed skepticism regarding the potential for Le Pen to be barred from future office should she be convicted, indicating a willingness to appeal any such sentence as unjust.
The trial is set to unfold until November 27, 2023, continuing to capture public attention as it progresses.
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