The Communist candidate for the presidential election is targeted by an investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office for “embezzlement of public funds”. He is accused of having been paid between 2009 and 2014 as an assistant to a deputy without having actually worked for Parliament.
Communist candidate Fabien Roussel said on Sunday that he expected “a game of clay pigeon shooting» and that the «blows fallduring the presidential campaign after the opening of an investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) targeting him for “embezzlement of public funds“, a charge he disputes.
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The number one of the PCF is accused of having been paid between 2009 and 2014 as an assistant to a deputy, without having actually worked for Parliament. On radio J, he said to himself “confident that the reality of my work with MP Jean-Jacques Candelier will be recognized, because the work I did was important work“.
“I knew very well that by presenting myself in this presidential election, by arousing a certain sympathy and even a dynamic around the campaign that I am carrying, a game of clay pigeon shooting would be opened. The blows are falling, I expected it, I prepared myself“, insisted Fabien Roussel who had a great breakthrough in the polls, going from 2% to almost 5% in some surveys.
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“What I know is that Edwy Plenel called for a vote for Mélenchon”
After online media accusations Mediapart initially published on February 20, the PNF confirmed to AFP on Friday that it had opened this investigation of the heads of “embezzlement of public funds and concealment of this offense“. “I learned from the press that I will be heard, indicated Mr. Roussel on Sunday. For the moment, I haven’t received anything, but of course, I will respond to all the invitations that I receive.»
Asked whether the Insoumis candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon was behind these accusations, the deputy from the North replied: “I know absolutely nothing“, corn “what I know? is that Edwy Plenel (director of the publication of Mediapart) called to vote for Mélenchon” and “that it was the director of the newspaper who made this investigation on my back“.
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Fabien Roussel also vigorously disputed the parallel with the Penelope Fillon affair which dynamited the 2017 campaign.Are you kidding or what? François Fillon, it’s personal enrichment, he hired his wife whom he paid 5000 euros, it has nothing to do with me, anyway“, he declared, inviting the French to “look at the heritage of the candidates for the election» and see «who gets rich doing politics“.