French presidential candidate Philippe faces embezzlement probe – POLITICO

PARIS — French prosecutors on Tuesday ordered a probe into 2027 presidential candidate Edouard Philippe over allegations of embezzlement. 

France’s National Financial Authority opened an investigation into the allegations that Philippe, in his role as mayor and head of the Le Havre regional authority, favored a non-profit organization run by an ally to oversee projects linked to the city’s digital hub. According to a statement from France’s financial prosecutor Pascal Prache, Philippe is being probed for alleged embezzlement of public funds, favoritism and illegal conflict of interest.

Philippe, who is also a former prime minister, will cooperate fully with investigators after financial prosecutors ordered a judicial inquiry into allegations of embezzlement, a local official linked to him said Tuesday.