The Guardian: Police raid French parliament in François Fillon investigation
Search carried out as part of ‘Penelopegate’ inquiry into allegation that presidential candidate paid wife for work she did not do
French police have raided the lower house of parliament in an investigation into whether the wife of the presidential candidate François Fillon was paid for an allegedly non-existent job.
The unusual step, requiring authorisation of the speaker of the lower house, was carried out as part of an inquiry into the “Penelopegate” scandal. It was not immediately clear whether Fillon’s own office was being searched.
Investigators are looking into possible misuse of public funds after a newspaper alleged that Fillon’s Welsh-born wife, Penelope, was paid €500,000 (£430,000) over eight years as his parliamentary assistant for work she did not perform. It is not illegal for French politicians to employ spouses or members of their family, but there is an obligation for them to carry out the job.
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WNU Editor: Recent polls are showing that French Presidential candidate François Fillon will win the election .... France's Fillon seen winning presidency against Le Pen: poll (Reuters). But these new allegations are damaging, and I would not be surprised if the polls will start to shift in the coming days.
Update: This does not look good for him .... French Political Scandal Fallout: Fillon Would Be Eliminated In First Round By Macron (Zero Hedge).
More News On France's Presidential Election
French presidential candidate Fillon got wife, kids jobs paying €1m, report claims -- France 24
Frantic talk of 'Plan B' as PenelopeGate wrecks Fillon's Elysée run -- France 24
Fillon and British wife Penelope grilled by police over fake job claims -- The Local.fr
Graft Allegations Grow Against François Fillon, French Presidential Hopeful -- New York Times
France's Fillon struggles to save presidential bid -- AFP
François Fillon faces 'elimination' from French presidential race as 'fake jobs' scandal intensifies -- The Telegraph
In France, 2 Top Presidential Candidates Accused Of Misconduct -- NPR
Scandal threatens campaign of French presidential candidate François Fillon -- CNN
