"Le Pen and other senior figures in the far-right Rassemblement National party were convicted in March 2025 of embezzlement relating to a 'fake jobs' scheme in the European Parliament - the court found that the party employed parliamentary assistants, paid with EU funding, who in fact did no work for the Parliament and in some cases had never even been to Brussels or Strasbourg."
"Le Pen herself was handed a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and fined 100,000 after her conviction. She was also banned from running for office for five years. The appeal is expected to last until mid February. When will we get a verdict? The verdict will not be given straight away. As is normal in French court cases, the judges will deliver their decision some time after the hearing itself has ended. The verdict in this case is expected in the summer."
On Tuesday a Paris court begins the appeal of Marine Le Pen and co-defendants over embezzlement tied to a 'fake jobs' scheme in the European Parliament. The court found Rassemblement National employed parliamentary assistants paid with EU funds who did no work. Twelve accused, including Le Pen, have appealed while another 12 accepted convictions and one sentenced person has died. Le Pen received a four-year term with two years suspended, a 100,000 fine and a five-year ban from office. The hearing runs until mid-February; judges will deliver a verdict in summer. Analysts say overturning the conviction is unlikely given documentary evidence and emails, though Le Pen may seek a lighter sentence and challenge the political ban.
Read at www.thelocal.fr
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