François Fillon, who was prime minister of France from 2007 until 2012, was on Monday convicted of misappropriation of public funds by a person invested with public authority and complicity in fraud and possession of the proceeds of fraud. Fillon, aged 66, was sentenced to five years in prison, of which three years are suspended. The trial established that Ms Fillon and Joulaud were passive participants in the financial corruption for which they were on Monday convicted. Joulaud, an English teacher by training and now the mayor of Sablé-sur-Sarthe, was also convicted of misappropriation of public funds by a person invested with public authority. Public trustMembers of the public confirmed Judge Gavarino’s contention that Fillon betrayed public trust.

Source: The Irish Times June 29, 2020 12:26 UTC