Sarkozy convicted by French court in campaign financing case
ABC News
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been found guilty of illegal campaign financing of his unsuccessful 2012 reelection bid
PARIS -- Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty Thursday of illegal campaign financing of his unsuccessful 2012 reelection bid.
Sarkozy wasn't present at the Paris court for the verdict’s announcement.
He is accused of having spent almost twice the maximum legal amount of 22.5 million euros ($27.5 million) on the reelection bid that he lost to Socialist Francois Hollande.
The court stated that Sarkozy “knew” the legal limit was at stake and “voluntarily” failed to supervise additional expenses. Prosecutors have requested a six-month prison term, as well as a six-month suspended sentence and a fine of 3,750 euros ($4,354).