Former French President Sarkozy Convicted of Corruption, Handed Prison Sentence
SMA NEWS – Paris
A French court found former President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty of trying to bribe a judge and influence peddling on Monday and sentenced him to three years in prison, a stunning fall from grace for a man who led France and strode the world stage for five years.
However, he may not spend any time in prison. Two years of the sentence were suspended, and the presiding judge said she would accept allowing him to be tagged with an electronic bracelet outside of prison for the remaining year.
Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012, is the second head of state in modern-day France to be convicted of corruption. Prosecutors persuaded the judges that after leaving office, Sarkozy had offered to secure a plum job in Monaco for a judge in return for inside information about an inquiry into allegations that he had accepted illegal payments from L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt for his 2007 presidential campaign.
“He took advantage of his status and the relationships he had made,” presiding judge Christine Mee told the court.
Another judge will decide whether to permit Srakozy to wear a bracelet instead of being imprisoned.
Retired from politics but still influential among conservatives, Sarkozy has 10 days to appeal the ruling. He left the court without speaking.
He had denied any wrongdoing, saying he was the victim of a witch-hunt by financial prosecutors who used excessive means to snoop on his affairs.
Later this month, Sarkozy is due in court on accusations of violating campaign financing rules during his failed 2012 re-election bid.
Prosecutors are still investigating claims that Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi provided Sarkozy´s 2007 campaign with millions of euros shipped to Paris in suitcases – allegations that Sarkozy denies.
