Chirac to Stand Trial for Corruption

A corruption lawsuit may tarnish former French President Jacques Chirac's legacy. The charges don't relate to his 12-year stint as president, but to his time as mayor of Paris. Thanks to a 10-year investigation, Chirac, 76, will be tried for allegedly rewarding his friends in the 1980s and 1990s. Chirac is charged with funneling taxpayer money to friends, political acquaintances, and celebrities by giving them nonexistent jobs. The "employees" purportedly did nothing or worked privately for Chirac on jobs that did not relate to the Paris Town Council. The charges against Chirac were frozen until 2007, when he left office, due to immunity laws.