FILE – This Nov. 23, 2010 photo shows former French President Nicolas delivering his speech at the opening of the Congress of France’s mayors in Paris. Nicolas Sarkozy says an investigation into his campaign finances is unjust and unfounded, but that he’s confident “the truth will win out in the end.” It was Sarkozy’s first reaction to a judge’s decision last week to issue preliminary charges against him in the case, thus formally placing him under investigation.(AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere,File)
PARIS (AP) — Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy says an investigation into his campaign finances is unjust and unfounded, but he’s confident “the truth will win out in the end.”
It was Sarkozy’s first reaction to a judge’s decision last week to issue preliminary charges against him in the case, thus formally placing him under investigation.
Sarkozy is accused of “abuse of someone in an impaired state” over allegations he took donations for his 2007 presidential run from L’Oreal cosmetics fortune heiress Liliane Bettencourt, who is now 90.
Sarkozy posted his comment Monday on Facebook. He said he wasn’t looking for special treatment and believes in the justice system.
If Sarkozy is eventually convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a 375,000 euro ($484,000) fine.
