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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy gestures to journalists as he leaves a restaurant in Paris on Oct. 24, 2012. (Eric Fefferberg/AFP/Getty Images)
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was questioned Thursday over allegations that he received illegal donations from the richest woman in France.
Sarkozy arrived in court to face questions by a judge over whether L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt gave nearly $200,000 to him while he was campaigning for the presidency in 2007, according to France24.
The scandal broke in 2009 while Sarkozy was still president, and he has categorically denied all the charges against him.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Sarkozy avoided reporters Thursday by sending a decoy car before arriving at the courthouse via a van.
Bettencourt’s former accountant said that she handed over the cash to Sarkozy’s campaign.
In France, there are tight restrictions on campaign spending and donations. When Sarkozy lost the presidency earlier this year, he lost his immunity to prosecution.
Thierry Herzog, a lawyer for Sarkozy, said that after the hearing Thursday, Sarkozy might face preliminary charges or will be granted a special status with the possibility of facing charges later, reported The Associated Press.
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