HIBAPRESS
The French financial prosecutor announced that the authorities searched the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture and private homes and the office of the mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris yesterday, Thursday, in the context of an investigation into possible corruption involving the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati during her membership in the European Parliament.
The statement explained that the investigation, which was opened by two French judges last October, focuses on the possibility of corruption through the payment or receipt of money, abuse of influence, embezzlement of public funds, and concealment and money laundering during Dati's membership in the European Parliament. Dati is emerging as a prominent candidate for the position of mayor of Paris in 2026, while the French media confirmed that the searches are aimed specifically at finding out whether she received money from the French energy company "G.D.F Suez" in 2010 and 2011, which Dati denies. In a related context, French judges ordered in July the trial of Dati and the former chief executive of the automotive sector Carlos Ghosn on charges of corruption and abuse of power related to consulting fees. Both parties deny any wrongdoing.
