"the state prosecutor had highlighted Sarkozy's couldn't care less attitude in demanding one rally a day in the form of vast American-style shows and allowing costs to rise substantially above the legal limit for a presidential election campaign. The prosecution said accountants had warned Sarkozy he was about to pass the official 22.5m spending cap but that he insisted on holding more events to fend off Hollande, who was gaining ground as a Mr Normal seeking to crack down on the world of finance."
"has now upheld an earlier ruling, making Sarkozy's conviction final. Sarkozy, who was released from prison earlier this month in connection with a separate conviction, will now have to serve his sentence. He had been sentenced on appeal to a one-year prison term, half of which was suspended. That six-month prison term can be served through means such as wearing an electronic tag, without going to jail."
Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted of hiding illegal overspending in his failed 2012 re-election campaign shaped by large American-style rallies. The affair involved the events company Bygmalion that organised elaborate stadium gigs for thousands of supporters. Prosecutors said Sarkozy insisted on daily large rallies despite accountants warning the campaign was exceeding the 22.5m legal spending cap, and total spending reached at least 42.8m. France's Cour de Cassation upheld an earlier ruling, making the conviction final. Sarkozy was sentenced on appeal to one year, half suspended, with a six-month term potentially served under electronic tagging. He denied wrongdoing and has faced other legal cases.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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