Former supermodel Carla Bruni-Sarkozy entangled in Sarkozy’s campaign finance scandal
Former supermodel Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has become embroiled in the campaign finance scandal surrounding her husband, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
Charges and allegations
Earlier this month, Bruni-Sarkozy, 56, was charged with fraud and witness tampering in connection with up to $54 million in illegal campaign contributions allegedly received from former Libyan dictator Moammar Khadafy for Sarkozy’s 2007 presidential campaign, as reported by Le Monde.
Sarkozy, 69, served as President of France from 2007 to 2012. Khadafy was assassinated in Libya in 2011. If convicted, Bruni-Sarkozy could face up to 20 years in prison, as both charges carry potential sentences of up to 10 years each.
Le Monde also reported that Bruni-Sarkozy has been barred by the court from communicating with others involved in the case, except for her husband. Her lawyer, Paul Mallet, did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.
Involvement of other figures
The scandal has ensnared other high-profile individuals, including a businesswoman dubbed “the high priestess of paparazzi” and a Lebanese entrepreneur and arms dealer who is Amal Clooney’s uncle.
The investigation into the campaign finance payments began in 2013, following accusations by one of Khadafy’s sons, Saif al-Islam, who alleged Carla Bruni-Sarkozy accepted millions from his father to finance his presidential bid. In 2014, French-Lebanese businessman and Clooney’s uncle, Ziad Takieddine, supported these claims.
Takieddine’s retraction and its implications
Takieddine, 74, told French judges he had proof of Khadafy’s financing and claimed that millions continued to flow into the Elysée Palace after Carla Bruni-Sarkozy assumed the presidency. However, he retracted his statements in 2020, raising suspicions that Sarkozy, his wife, and their associates may have influenced his change of heart.
Role of Michele “Mimi” Marchand
Prosecutors allege that the retraction was orchestrated by Michele “Mimi” Marchand, a French businesswoman known as “the high priestess of paparazzi” and a prominent figure in the celebrity press. Marchand, who has connections to current first lady Brigitte Macron, was indicted for witness tampering and conspiracy to commit fraud in 2021 following alleged negotiations with Takieddine.
Marchand’s lawyer has denied any wrongdoing on her behalf. Her arrest sparked outrage from President Emmanuel Macron, who expressed his disbelief at the legal proceedings. Marchand was briefly jailed but remains under indictment. In June, Bruni-Sarkozy allegedly deleted text messages exchanged with Marchand, according to France 24.
Since losing the 2012 presidential election, Sarkozy has faced multiple criminal investigations. He is scheduled to go on trial next year in the Khadafy campaign finance case.