French ex-minister in court over tax fraud, money laundering
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A former French budget minister is going on trial for hiding part of his wealth in tax havens around the world while fighting tax evasion at home.
Jerome Cahuzac is to appear in a Paris court Monday on charges of tax fraud and money laundering that forced him to resign in 2013 in one of the biggest political scandals under President Francois Hollande.
The 64-year-old former cosmetic surgeon is accused of concealing at least 687,000 euros ($766,000) in income from tax authorities in 2009-2012. He's also accused of laundering money in 2003-2013 through foreign bank accounts in Switzerland and Singapore and dummy companies in Panama and the Seychelles.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cahuzac, who acknowledged evading taxes for two decades, faces up to seven years in prison and a 1 million-euro fine if convicted.