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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: jimmy olsen on March 07, 2011, 08:50:33 AM

Title: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: jimmy olsen on March 07, 2011, 08:50:33 AM
Any Euros know more about the validity of these charges?

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Former-French-President-on-Trial-for-Corruption-Charges-117511629.html

Quote
Former French President on Trial for Corruption Charges

Lisa Bryant | Paris  March 07, 2011
AP

Former French President Jacques Chirac went on trial Monday on corruption charges related to hirings that allegedly benefited his center-right party. Chirac becomes the first French head of state to go on trial.

The charges date back to when former President Jacques Chirac was mayor of Paris, between 1977 and 1995. The 78-year-old former head of state is accused of giving people city hall jobs when they really worked for his then center-right Rally for the Republic Party.

He denies the allegations, arguing all the posts were legitimate.

Corruption allegations against Chirac have persisted for years. But as president, he enjoyed immunity from prosecution – which ended when he left office. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in jail and a fine of about $207,000 dollars.

In brief remarks Sunday to France's Europe 1 radio, Chirac said he was as well as could be expected – French media have reported he may have Alzheimer's disease although his wife has denied this. He refused to discuss the trial.

During his last years in office, Chirac battled high unpopularity ratings. But now, he is among the most popular figures in France – and the French are divided over whether he should stand trial.

Dominique Paille, spokesman for the ruling, center-right UMP party – which was founded under Chirac's presidency – said the French justice system could have avoided a trial.

Paille told France Info radio it was sad that Chirac should be on trial at the end of his life. He said Chirac's political legacy dwarfed the allegations against him – and that the trial would hurt France's image.

Last year, Paris city hall dropped separate civil charges against Chirac following a $3 million settlement. Chirac, however, did not acknowledge any wrongdoing.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Neil on March 07, 2011, 08:58:33 AM
These charges are trumped-up and are only being pressed because of heavy US pressure.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Slargos on March 07, 2011, 08:58:57 AM
He's French, and that's just one step removed from Sub-Saharan and that's almost like corruption guaranteed. You can put that in the bank.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Caliga on March 07, 2011, 09:20:38 AM
:yes: I thought this was just the way things worked in countries like France, Italy, Spain, etc. :hmm:
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: viper37 on March 07, 2011, 09:30:56 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on March 07, 2011, 08:50:33 AM
Any Euros know more about the validity of these charges?
Not a Euro, but I'll bite.

He's been under suspicion for a while now, but he couldn't be indicted while he was in office.  Now, he has to stand trial.

Valid or not, it's up to the court to decide.  It has nothing to do with politics per see, meaning, he's not accused because he was theoritically member of a right-wing political party but because there seems to be evidences he did something wrong.

But in these kind of cases, it's hard to tell.  It's not like there's a receipt for "100 000 euros in exchange of a job".
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Jaron on March 07, 2011, 09:42:34 AM
guillotine.jpg
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 07, 2011, 09:46:21 AM
Chiracaille is guilty but will get away with a technicality or a very  lenient fine. That said, until the mid '90s, there was no taxpayer funding for political parties so those jobs sometimes served that purpose.
He is a crook but a popular one now ;)
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: HisMajestyBOB on March 07, 2011, 10:24:38 AM
Quote from: viper37 on March 07, 2011, 09:30:56 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on March 07, 2011, 08:50:33 AM
Any Euros know more about the validity of these charges?


But in these kind of cases, it's hard to tell.  It's not like there's a receipt for "100 000 euros in exchange of a job".

That's why the Germans are never very good at corruption.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: grumbler on March 07, 2011, 10:51:27 AM
Chirac may be technically guilty of corruption, but not corruption-corruption.  He should be released and rewarded.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Ed Anger on March 07, 2011, 10:58:02 AM
Is he gay-friendly? Does he like giant robots?
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: DGuller on March 07, 2011, 11:06:46 AM
Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on March 07, 2011, 10:24:38 AM
That's why the Germans are never very good at corruption.
:yes:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.robertamsterdam.com%2Fschroeder_putin.jpg&hash=e8ae47d110ba78d33b85906b9afd4b28d1c57033)
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: MadImmortalMan on March 07, 2011, 12:45:43 PM
Is this about oil-for-food?
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: viper37 on March 07, 2011, 12:48:02 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 07, 2011, 09:46:21 AM
He is a crook but a popular one now ;)
why is he popular now?  Nostalgia?
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: viper37 on March 07, 2011, 12:48:42 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on March 07, 2011, 12:45:43 PM
Is this about oil-for-food?
no.  Some illicit financing of his party.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Valmy on March 07, 2011, 12:57:17 PM
Quote from: Caliga on March 07, 2011, 09:20:38 AM
:yes: I thought this was just the way things worked in countries like France, Italy, Spain, etc. :hmm:

France usually ranks around where we rank on the corruption indexes...for what that's worth.  But Slargos probably feels the same way about Kentuckians.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: HisMajestyBOB on March 07, 2011, 01:11:10 PM
Quote from: DGuller on March 07, 2011, 11:06:46 AM
Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on March 07, 2011, 10:24:38 AM
That's why the Germans are never very good at corruption.
:yes:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.robertamsterdam.com%2Fschroeder_putin.jpg&hash=e8ae47d110ba78d33b85906b9afd4b28d1c57033)

Touche :lol:
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Duque de Bragança on March 07, 2011, 06:45:29 PM
Quote from: viper37 on March 07, 2011, 12:48:02 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 07, 2011, 09:46:21 AM
He is a crook but a popular one now ;)
why is he popular now?  Nostalgia?

Yeah and the fact he is no longer president  :lol:
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Zoupa on March 08, 2011, 03:41:59 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 07, 2011, 06:45:29 PM
Quote from: viper37 on March 07, 2011, 12:48:02 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on March 07, 2011, 09:46:21 AM
He is a crook but a popular one now ;)
why is he popular now?  Nostalgia?

Yeah and the fact he is no longer president  :lol:

It's mostly because Sarkozy is just so incredibly bad.

Concerning the charges, they're most likely true. He was mayor for about 15 years, lots of fishy stuff going on during those times.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Slargos on March 08, 2011, 06:38:32 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 07, 2011, 12:57:17 PM
Quote from: Caliga on March 07, 2011, 09:20:38 AM
:yes: I thought this was just the way things worked in countries like France, Italy, Spain, etc. :hmm:

France usually ranks around where we rank on the corruption indexes...for what that's worth.  But Slargos probably feels the same way about Kentuckians.

I know that the frogs are slimey bastards, and if there's industrial thievery going on in Sweden it's typically the Russians or the French. I know that on a national level they will walk on the corpses of dead disabled children if it's necessary to further their national goals [and before grumbler interjects, it's just a figure of speech, I don't actually have any proof they've actually walked on said corpses though I have no doubt that it's already happened]. I have no idea what to say on the subject about Kentuckians.

All the croissants and romantic behaviour in the world can't make up for their colonial savagery and regicides. The French are an evil race, certainly not made less so after electing that scoundrel Sarkozy. But frankly, the destruction of the French by forced interbreeding with their colonial legacy might actually be a good thing, so perhaps Sarkozy is actually their only hope for redemption though simultaneously their tool for self-destruction.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: CountDeMoney on March 08, 2011, 07:02:54 AM
Quote from: DGuller on March 07, 2011, 11:06:46 AM
Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on March 07, 2011, 10:24:38 AM
That's why the Germans are never very good at corruption.
:yes:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.robertamsterdam.com%2Fschroeder_putin.jpg&hash=e8ae47d110ba78d33b85906b9afd4b28d1c57033)

Charlie Sheen and James Woods have really let themselves go.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Drakken on March 08, 2011, 03:10:14 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 08, 2011, 03:41:59 AM
It's mostly because Sarkozy is just so incredibly bad.

Yeah. Sarkozy's is so bad, FN's hot MILF Marine Le Pen is ranking first in the polls.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Slargos on March 08, 2011, 03:37:09 PM
Quote from: Drakken on March 08, 2011, 03:10:14 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 08, 2011, 03:41:59 AM
It's mostly because Sarkozy is just so incredibly bad.

Yeah. Sarkozy's is so bad, FN's hot MILF Marine Le Pen is ranking first in the polls.

Who would've thought the French would get fed up with being lied to?
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Ed Anger on March 08, 2011, 05:23:19 PM
Quote from: Drakken on March 08, 2011, 03:10:14 PM
Quote from: Zoupa on March 08, 2011, 03:41:59 AM
It's mostly because Sarkozy is just so incredibly bad.

Yeah. Sarkozy's is so bad, FN's hot MILF Marine Le Pen is ranking first in the polls.

Awesome.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Caliga on March 08, 2011, 10:51:25 PM
Wait, is she related to that French Hitler dude?
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Neil on March 08, 2011, 10:56:44 PM
Quote from: Caliga on March 08, 2011, 10:51:25 PM
Wait, is she related to that French Hitler dude?
His daughter.  She will rule France and they will exterminate the criminal, non-white element.  France will once again be the shining light that it once was.
Title: Re: Former French President Chirac On Trial For Corruption
Post by: Syt on March 09, 2011, 12:05:59 AM
Quote from: HisMajestyBOB on March 07, 2011, 10:24:38 AM
Quote from: viper37 on March 07, 2011, 09:30:56 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on March 07, 2011, 08:50:33 AM
Any Euros know more about the validity of these charges?


But in these kind of cases, it's hard to tell.  It's not like there's a receipt for "100 000 euros in exchange of a job".

That's why the Germans are never very good at corruption.

You mean like Helmut Kohl, who received 2 million DM in donations from a source he refuses to reveal, even though the laws (that he himself signed during his time in office) demand he does?