Ex-French PM guilty of corruption

[Sibboleth]

A court has found former French prime minister Alain Juppe guilty of involvement in a party funding scam in Paris in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Juppe, one of President Jacques Chirac's closest allies, immediately appealed against the conviction.

The court gave him an 18-month suspended sentence and barred him from political office for life.

However, he will be able to continue as mayor of Bordeaux, and as head of the governing UMP party during the appeal.

The prosecution argued that Juppe allowed party employees to be put on the city payroll and to be paid for by private companies when he was deputy mayor of Paris.

Mr Chirac was then the city's mayor.

Juppe denied the charges, saying that he put an end to all irregularities as soon as he found out about them.

Juppe was prime minister between 1995 and 1997, when he lost an election amid industrial unrest caused by his attempts to push through social and economic reforms.

French voters regard him as cold and aloof, but correspondents say he could return to government if he is acquitted on appeal.

[Gustaf]

A court has found former French prime minister Alain Juppe guilty of involvement in a party funding scam in Paris in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Juppe, one of President Jacques Chirac's closest allies, immediately appealed against the conviction.

The court gave him an 18-month suspended sentence and barred him from political office for life.

However, he will be able to continue as mayor of Bordeaux, and as head of the governing UMP party during the appeal.

The prosecution argued that Juppe allowed party employees to be put on the city payroll and to be paid for by private companies when he was deputy mayor of Paris.

Mr Chirac was then the city's mayor.

Juppe denied the charges, saying that he put an end to all irregularities as soon as he found out about them.

Juppe was prime minister between 1995 and 1997, when he lost an election amid industrial unrest caused by his attempts to push through social and economic reforms.

French voters regard him as cold and aloof, but correspondents say he could return to government if he is acquitted on appeal.

Surprise, surprise...

[Vasall des Midas]

A court has found former French prime minister Alain Juppe guilty of involvement in a party funding scam in Paris in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Juppe, one of President Jacques Chirac's closest allies, immediately appealed against the conviction.

The court gave him an 18-month suspended sentence and barred him from political office for life.

However, he will be able to continue as mayor of Bordeaux, and as head of the governing UMP party during the appeal.

The prosecution argued that Juppe allowed party employees to be put on the city payroll and to be paid for by private companies when he was deputy mayor of Paris.

Mr Chirac was then the city's mayor.

Juppe denied the charges, saying that he put an end to all irregularities as soon as he found out about them.

Juppe was prime minister between 1995 and 1997, when he lost an election amid industrial unrest caused by his attempts to push through social and economic reforms.

French voters regard him as cold and aloof, but correspondents say he could return to government if he is acquitted on appeal.

Surprise, surprise...

I know Chirac is guilty, , and I guess the same is true of Juppe, but an actual conviction is indeed a surprise!

[Gustaf]

A court has found former French prime minister Alain Juppe guilty of involvement in a party funding scam in Paris in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Juppe, one of President Jacques Chirac's closest allies, immediately appealed against the conviction.

The court gave him an 18-month suspended sentence and barred him from political office for life.

However, he will be able to continue as mayor of Bordeaux, and as head of the governing UMP party during the appeal.

The prosecution argued that Juppe allowed party employees to be put on the city payroll and to be paid for by private companies when he was deputy mayor of Paris.

Mr Chirac was then the city's mayor.

Juppe denied the charges, saying that he put an end to all irregularities as soon as he found out about them.

Juppe was prime minister between 1995 and 1997, when he lost an election amid industrial unrest caused by his attempts to push through social and economic reforms.

French voters regard him as cold and aloof, but correspondents say he could return to government if he is acquitted on appeal.

Surprise, surprise...

I know Chirac is guilty, , and I guess the same is true of Juppe, but an actual conviction is indeed a surprise!

Yeah, I suppose you're right there...

[Sibboleth]

This has really f***** up Chirac's plans for the 2007 election... Juppe was his choice for UMP candidate.
Chirac will not endorse Sarkozy, so there is actually a chance that he will try to go for a 3rd term in 2007.

Of course Juppe will probably get off on appeal...

[Gustaf]

This has really f***** up Chirac's plans for the 2007 election... Juppe was his choice for UMP candidate.
Chirac will not endorse Sarkozy, so there is actually a chance that he will try to go for a 3rd term in 2007.

Of course Juppe will probably get off on appeal...

How old is Chirac, I thought he was way too old for a third term?