Chirac off the hook for two-million-euro food bill

PARIS, Sept 22 (AFP) – France’s high court of appeal on Thursday brought to a definitive end to attempts to prosecute President Jacques Chirac over allegedly exorbitant entertaining expenses incurred when he was mayor of Paris.

The Cour de Cassation confirmed a lower appeal court decision last year that the alleged misdemeanours were covered by the country’s statute of limitations because they took place too long ago.

The Socialist-led Paris city hall filed suit in 2003 after an audit revealed that Chirac and his wife Bernadette spent EUR 2.13 million on dinners and receptions between 1987 and 1995, when he stepped down to become president.

Subject: French news