The French judiciary issues a ruling against a former prime minister for his involvement in the “Penelope Gate” scandal

The French Court of Cassation categorically confirmed the conviction of former Prime Minister François Fillon in the case of "fake jobs" granted to his wife, but ordered a review of the penalties issued against him.

On May 9, 2022, the Court of Appeal sentenced Fillon (70 years old) to four years in prison, including one year with effect, and to pay a fine of 375,000 euros, while preventing him from running for office for ten years.

In light of the new ruling, a new hearing will be held in the coming months before the Court of Appeal in Paris to reconsider the penalties issued against the former prime minister.

The Supreme Court of the French judiciary also considered that the Court of Appeal must reconsider the amount of damage and damages awarded to the National Assembly in exchange for granting Penelope Fillon, François Fillon’s wife, a job as his assistant in the Assembly in 2012 and 2013.

The Court of Cassation also confirmed the sentences issued against Penelope Fillon to a two-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of 375,000 euros, and Fillon’s deputy in the National Assembly, Marc Jolo, to a three-year suspended prison sentence.

The newspaper "Le Canard Enchaine" revealed the case known as the "Penelope Gate" scandal in January 2017, amid the presidential election campaign in which Fillon was running as a right- and center-right candidate.

On June 29, a court of first instance sentenced him to five years in prison, two of which were effective, while imposing the same fine and banning him from running for office for ten years.