Source: France 24 [French state media]
“Marine Le Pen, the longtime leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party, will stand trial in a Paris criminal court on Monday alongside 26 others over alleged misappropriation of European Union funds. … Party officials and employees, former lawmakers and parliamentary assistants are accused of using money destined for EU parliamentary work to pay staff who were working for the RN, which at the time was called the National Front. EU lawmakers are allocated funds to cover expenses, including their assistants, but are not meant to use them to cross-fund party activities.” (09/30/24)