Fillon faces probe over ‘fake jobs’

FRENCH presidential hopeful François Fillon is facing a full judicial inquiry over jobs he gave to his wife and two of his children, casting new doubt on the viability of his candidacy.

The conservative candidate was once the frontrunner in polls, but his ratings have slipped with the probe into payments to family members that totalled more than one million euros over many years.

After a preliminary investigation opened on January 25, the financial prosecutor’s office has decided to escalate and enlarge the case, turning it over to investigating judges who can bring charges or throw the case out. The announcement came as Fillon was holding a campaign rally outside Paris.

Critically, however, no-one was named in the judicial investigation on a list of charges, including misappropriation of public funds, abuse of public funds and influence trafficking.

It was a sign that the prosecutor’s office intends to question others, an official said, refusing to state how many people are concerned.

Fillon has denied wrongdoing and vowed to carry on his campaign.

He said at one point that he would end his presidential bid if charged.

Fillon admits that he hired his wife and children as parliamentary aides, a practice that is legal in France.

However, there are suspicions that neither his wife Penelope nor a son and daughter actually worked for the pay.

However, Fillon’s lawyers put an upbeat spin on the development.

They called the move “logical,” saying in a statement that it shows the financial prosecutor’s office “was unable to show the reality of the infractions”.