Police raid Sarkozy’s office, home in campaign finance probe

Nicolas Sarkozy

French police searched Nicolas Sarkozy’s offices and home Tuesday as part of their probe into claims the former president was involved in illegal political campaign financing, his lawyer said.

Magistrates are investigating claims that staff for Liliane Bettencourt, heiress to the L’Oreal cosmetics empire and France’s richest woman, gave envelopes stuffed with cash to Mr. Sarkozy's aides to finance his 2007 campaign.

Around ten police officers accompanied investigating magistrate Jean-Michel Gentil on the raid on his home and on offices he has recently rented in Paris, a source close to the enquiry said.
Mr. Sarkozy’s lawyer Thierry Herzog said that the president, who was defeated in his re-election bid in May by the Socialist Francois Hollande, is currently in Canada with his family.

Read more: Police raid Sarkozy’s office, home in campaign finance probe - The Globe and Mail