Former French Prime Minister François Fillon Convicted in Penelope Affair

The former French Prime Minister, François Fillon, has been definitively convicted in the Penelopegate scandal involving fictitious job allegations for his wife, Penelope. The court reduced Fillon’s sentence to four years in prison with suspension, a fine of €375,000, and a five-year ban on political rights following the completion of the third trial ordered by the Court of Cassation. Initially, on May 22, 2022, Fillon, aged 71, was sentenced to one year in prison, the same fine, and a ten-year ban on political rights. However, the Court of Cassation partially overturned this decision, ruling that the imposition of a custodial sentence was not adequately justified.