France's Marine Le Pen goes on trial accused of misusing European Parliament funds

Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen was on trial in Paris on Monday on charges of abusing European Parliament funds by hiring aides provided at taxpayer expense for party matters.

Le Pen, who hopes to make a fourth run for president in 2027, is among high-ranking party officials prosecutors allege employed assistants and put them to work for the party rather than for National Rally's more than two dozen MEPs representing the interests of their constituents in the 717-seat legislative body.

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