Sarkozy targeted anew by Gadhafi presidential funding claims
PARIS — Days before a crucial presidential primary, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is facing new allegations that he received millions of euros in illegal financing from the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi’s regime.
Sarkozy and his former chief of staff have denied wrongdoing in the case, which involves funding for his winning 2007 presidential campaign. An investigation has been underway since 2013.
In a video interview released Tuesday with the investigative website Mediapart, French-Lebanese businessman Ziad Takieddine said he delivered suitcases from Libya containing 5 million euros in cash to Sarkozy and his former chief of staff.
Investigators are examining claims that Gadhafi’s regime secretly gave Sarkozy 50 million euros overall for the 2007 campaign. Such a sum would be more than double the legal campaign funding limit at the time of 21 million euros. In addition, the alleged payments would violate French rules against foreign financing and declaring the source of campaign funds.