Chirac's expenses escape court's attention

French President Jacques Chirac will not have to face a lawsuit for allegedly running up lavish food bills while he was mayor of Paris, a court ruled today.

An appeals judge upheld a lower court’s decision to throw out a civil complaint brought by the current Socialist-led City Hall. The court said the statute of limitations has run out.

The complaint filed in March 2003 claims that Chirac and his wife spent more than €2.8m in dining and entertaining expenses at City Hall from 1987-1995, much of it in cash.

The complaint also cited the existence of “falsified receipts” and “significant misappropriations” under Chirac’s tenure, and to a lesser extent that of his successor, former Mayor Jean Tiberi.

The decision to dismiss the case was the latest court victory for the conservative president, who has been haunted by allegations of corruption dating to his time as Paris mayor from 1977 to 1995.

Chirac has been able to dodge prosecution or questioning because of his presidential immunity.

The city of Paris can still take the case to France’s highest appeals court.