Chirac to stand trial over corruption charges

A judicial official says former French president Jacques Chirac has been ordered to stand trial in an alleged corruption scandal dating back to his 1977-1995 tenure as Paris mayor.

The prosecutor had asked the court to drop the case. But a magistrate ordered Mr Chirac to stand trial for “misuse of public funds” and “breach of trust.”

The judicial official spoke today on condition of anonymity because the case is ongoing.

A judge has been investigating whether people in Mr Chirac’s circle were given sham jobs as advisers and paid by Paris City Hall, even though they weren’t working for it.

Mr Chirac’s office said he was “serene” and prepared to demonstrate that none of the jobs were phoney.