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Charles Platiau / Reuters, file
Former French President Jacques Chirac is seen at an awards ceremony in Paris on Nov. 24. He was convicted of embezzling public funds, abuse of trust, and illegal conflict of interest.
UPDATED 3:10 p.m. ET
In a statement hours after the decision, Chirac said though he "categorically contest(ed)" the verdict, he would not appeal.
Despite the "pain and the profound sadness this verdict has inflicted," the statement said, "I sadly no longer have the necessary strength to lead before new judges the combat for the truth."
He said that as mayor, "it is up to me and me alone to take responsibility," but stressed that "above all, I affirm with honor: I cannot be blamed for anything."
"I leave (judgment) to my compatriots, who know who I am: an honest man who never had any other desire or motivation than the unity of the French people, the greatness of France, and action in favor of peace."
Earlier story:
PARIS -- A French court found former President Jacques Chirac guilty Thursday of embezzling public funds to illegally finance the conservative party he long led.
In the absence of the 79-year-old, who ruled from 1995 until 2007, the judge declared Chirac guilty and handed down a suspended two-year jail sentence.
Chirac, a savvy world diplomat and icon of France's political establishment for decades, is the first former French head of state to face prosecution since since Nazi collaborator Marshall Philippe Petain in 1945. But the former leader did not take part in the trial, after doctors determined that he suffers severe memory lapses.
Chirac was tried on charges of diverting public money into phantom jobs for political cronies while he was mayor of Paris between 1977 and 1995, a time when he built a new centre-right Gaullist party that launched his successful presidential bid.
He was convicted of embezzling public funds, abuse of trust, and illegal conflict of interest.
Chirac repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
The two-year suspended prison sentence goes on Chirac's criminal record but means he does not have to go behind bars. The court said it took into account his age, health and status as a former head of state when determining the sentence.
'Deep affection'
Unusually, the prosecutor had requested earlier that the case be dropped, saying not enough evidence proved intentional corruption. The court disagreed, saying "his guilt results from long-standing and reiterated practices" of illegal party financing.
"For all those who could have expected a rejection of the case against him, or at least no penalty, the ruling can appear disappointing," said Chirac lawyer Georges Kiejman. "What I hope is that this ruling doesn't change in any way the deep affection the French feel legitimately for Jacques Chirac."
Chirac skirts trial yet again in corruption case
"We have to take a step back and read this ruling, we have to speak of course with the main person involved (Chirac), and we will know tonight if he accepts this decision or, on the contrary, he wants — on principle — to appeal. For the moment, it's impossible to say more," Kiejman said.
Contacted by The Associated Press, Chirac spokeswoman Benedicte Brissart declined to comment immediately, saying time was needed to go over the legal decision.
Chirac enjoyed immunity from prosecution during his 1995-2007 presidential tenure, during which he led France into the shared euro currency and strongly opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
Justice was not served. The French waited too long, but at least they have courage to make the truth of their leader's corruption official public record.
Why can't America show some integrity and desire for justice and hold our leaders responsible by putting to trial George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for their corruption in the matters of stealing from the American taxpayer's pockets through their establishment of those n0-bid contract going to Haliburton during the Irag war? Or for outing a C.I.A. agent?
Can't they, or I say SHOULDN'T they be held responsible at all for violating American's citizens constitutional rights with their "Patriot Act" and the secret (later public) authorization of torture?
Within a capitalist economic structure, embezzling public funds means that as the "people's leader" you are responsible for having murdered your people through hunger and lack of health services. Capitalism is a limited economic framework. When you steal you are murdering others due to lack. He should get life.
Gotta admire the French. At least they have the integrity and tenacity to hold their leaders accountable to the nation's laws.
Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, all should be convicted. An illegal war based on prefabricated "intelligence", outing our own spies, billion dollar kickbacks to no-bid scumbag contractors . . . etc.
JUst imagine our own Dear Leader and Holder trying to explain to their new cellmate Bubba how they were bumrapped and their constitutional rights violated........................;)
Bubba
And also Bill Clinton, who just might have provided top secrets and high technology to communist china, and helped it advance technologically 50 years, while pulling our collective leg with a phony ML scandal. I would certainly welcome an investigation into that
JK from PA - In America, Chirac would probably share a cell with crooks like Blago and Corzine, not with politicians whose policies and actions you don't agree with.
DanSok, there was an investigation into that. About 80 million dollars or so, wasted because all they could prove is he lied about a head job with ML. But yes, we should have investigations into every President, from Ronnie Raygun up to the present one.
What good is it when "being held accountable" translates to a slap on the hand? That kind of punishment should really give the next guy contemplating break the law pause.
How can you hold someone accountable for an on-going crime...continued by the current leaders and lawmakers.....
America should prosecute these enteprise criminals from the top down for destroying great America. They got billion of dollars in bailout and laughing all the ways to the banks.
The rest of America got pepper spray or evict from their home by your own cops. Americans should stop whinning and complaining or telling other countries what to do. Take a closer look yourself in a mirror.
Sally Ann,
The investigation was exactly about ML, which was a diversion. A real crime was committed by transferring of sensitive top secret technology to china. Remember all those missing hard drives and remember those illegal fundraisers from foreign donors. Treason maybe?
The sad part is the People that were part of the corruption, the ones that took these funds are guilty also but will never be held accountable.
......doctors determined that he suffers severe memory lapses. Too funny!!! "I don't remember doing that"
he hoped the conviction wouldn't harm the deep affection the french people feel for chirac......
i always have deep affection for public officials that steal from the people
but somehow, i don't think its what the author meant.
thieves belong behind bars.
Republican Creed
Or, at a certain Crawford, TX ranch having a "hoopin' and hollerin' good time" eating bar-b-que and rubbing elbows with the world's lowest common denominator.
JK are you one of the hired help to blast against Republicans? What an intelligent comment - how much are you doing paid? Is this your perception of all Texans? I taught university there and that state is doing really well. Pa isn't.... hopefully you can find gainful employment soon and can work off some of your irr.
nperk10195:
I don't know what u taught at "university" but it wasn't english, lol.
we should be so lucky - the Democrats are on here screaming again the rich are the Republicans when they can't begin to see that 99% of the richest people in yesterday's news were Democrats and that is true in the Congress.
I think the Liberals hire people to blast on the internet. I have been attacked by liberals called "He is Watching" numerous times. Obama has his web site called Attackwatch.com where people are supposed to report anyone that speaks against him. I know he was put into office by Democratic Machine notice I didn't say elected.
JK from PA
Gotta admire the French. At least they have the integrity and tenacity to hold their leaders accountable to the nation's laws.
Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, all should be convicted. An illegal war based on prefabricated "intelligence", outing our own spies, billion dollar kickbacks to no-bid scumbag contractors . . . etc.
(Have you been on Mars for the past three years? The people that have raided our monies are Obama, Holder, Polosi, Reid - they should be convicted along with people like you who are being paid to blast Conservatives - go get a real job and stop living off me.... you are now $47,000 more in debt since Obama took office - he caused it - will that be cash or charge?
a crook is a crook is a crook. send him to jail. but wait we do the same here too. nice to have 2 sets of laws in every contry. one for the everyday joe shmoe, and one for celebrities and politicians. "on nation... with liberty and justice for ALL??"
the 1% never go too prison!
Bernie would disagree, as would Blago.
He is always committed to separate Church and State. He succeeded to separate his ethics and law, and as well - himself from all other his subjects. Why he has to follow any ethical and moral guidelines since there is no one above him?
Now the court feels so bad because of the bad press they are planning a nice party for him to raise his spirits because he is so beloved. Isn't it more common than not nowadays politicians are not only stealing money, they are pretty much flaunting their affairs as well. They all know they will be reelected, and so why pretend anymore?
I can only laugh.....I live in a French Country....this man is a criminal ~ like the majority of your elected officials in all countries ~ This is only the surface of what was really happening.........this is like what the US gov did to Al Capone ~ they couldn't get him for what he was really doing so they settled for nothing more than tax evasion! It is sickening and pathetic what these politicians are allowed to rob from us all and some of you sit there and defend the criminals ~ amazing at how stupid people can be. STOP WATCHING TV that is owned by Rupert Murdoch......he owns about 80% of the media worldwide...how much truth do you HONESTLY believe you get to hear...EVER??
Criminals belong in prison..........no matter their age!
To call former French Presidend Jacques Chirac a conservative is a term that may be understood in France, but by American standards, Chirac is only slightly to the right of Chairman Mao. Very slightly indeed.
Can someone explain why granting the rich and powerful clemency is supposed to be justice? It's no wonder that high level corruption continues when you can expect to receive no jail time, even if you are eventually caught.
Got to say "BRAVO" France and the Justice System that will MEDIA HYPE so that ALL CITIZENS see and hear about the news regarding GOVERNMENT AND CORRUPTION. I understand in the business world it is the same way. MAKE IT WIDELY PUBLIC!!!
HERE! in the USA it is honestly LAUGHABLE and 100% a JOKE. Our ENTIRE Government and Judicial system is so MAFIA organized it is Pathetic and Despicable. They all have their hands in each others pants paying each other off at every turn. And all behind WE THE PEOPLE WHO PAY THEIR SALARIES.
We are all being SHAM_WOA_'D. And it seems that AMERICA IS OK with this WILD WILD WEST SHOW!!
I am sick and tired of the MAFIA Shenanigans. And we the people should put them all in jail. It is just not right!!!
Lets start with THE HOUSE!!! MOP & THROW OUT THE DIRTY SCUMS.