French candidate draws nepotism probe

PARIS — The French financial prosecutor’s office has opened a judicial inquiry into the reportedly fake parliamentary aide jobs that conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon gave to his wife and two of his children.

After a preliminary investigation began last month, the prosecutor’s office decided to move forward with the case. However, no one is named in the judicial investigation that opened Friday on a list of charges, including misappropriation of public funds.

Fillon had been one of the front-runners for the French presidency, but his candidacy has stumbled after these allegations. Fillon admits that he hired his wife and children, but says the jobs were real and the practice was legal at the time.

AP/CHRISTOPHE ENA French presidential candidate Francois Fillon delivers a speech at a rally Friday outside Paris.