Former French President Chirac Faces Trial In Paris

SAN FRANCISCO, March 07, (THEWILL) - Former French President Jacques Chirac, 78, today became the first former French President to go on trial for embezzling funds belonging to the city of Paris while he was Mayor between 1977 to 1995, the year he was named President.

Chirac and nine others including his Chief of Staff are on trial for allegedly diverting public funds to pay staffers who were working for his defunct political party, the RPR.

The former President has continued to maintain his innocence. He was however not present in court today but is expected to appear on Tuesday.

Former French Prime Minister Alain Juppe was convicted and sentenced in December 2004 for his role in the scandal but Chirac escaped prosecution under Presidential immunity.

If convicted, Chirac could get a ten years in jail plus a fine around 75, 000 Euros.