François Fillon is proposing to pay nearly 700,000 euros to the National Assembly, following his conviction in the fictitious employment affair involving his wife, Penelope Fillon. This sum corresponds to the damages that the couple were ordered to pay jointly and severally at their appeal trial in 2022

A move in the wake of the Court of Cassation ruling

François Fillon’s proposal comes several months after the Cour de cassation ruling, which deemed his guilt final, while ordering a new hearing to examine his sanctions. The ruling did not confirm the four-year prison sentence, including one year’s imprisonment, the 375,000 euro fine, or the ten-year disqualification. A hearing is scheduled for November 25 to rule on these points, according to BFMTV, confirmed by H24 MEDIA.

Repayment spread over ten years

In concrete terms, the former Prime Minister has proposed repaying 679,989.32 euros to the Assemblée Nationale, spread over a ten-year period. This amount includes the damages awarded on appeal, as well as 10,000 euros in legal costs. Negotiations are underway with the Assemblée Nationale regarding the guarantees François Fillon could provide for this spread, bearing in mind that the fine has yet to be confirmed at the hearing.

A look back at the “Penelopegate” affair

The fictitious employment scandal, dubbed “Penelopegate”, broke in January 2017 after an investigation by the *Canard enchaîné*, when François Fillon was running as the candidate for the Right and Center in the presidential election. The scandal had shaken the candidate’s presidential campaign, leading to a resounding court case.