L'Oreal heir's wealth manager denies illegal donations to minister
The donations allegation was made by a former bookkeeper for Liliane Bettencourt, 87 - the main shareholder in cosmetics giant L'Oreal - and has led to probes into alleged tax evasion and money laundering.
The issue has transfixed the French public and embarrassed president Nicolas Sarkozy's government.
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Hide AdThe bookkeeper, Claire Thibout, told police she had been involved in withdrawing €150,000 in cash to be given to Mr Woerth in unmarked envelopes as a donation to Sarkozy's 2007 election campaign. The president and minister have both denied receiving illicit donations.
When asked whether he had handed over the €150,000 to Mr Woerth in January 2007, Patrice de Maistre said: "I have never dealt with their (the Bettencourt family's] personal wealth. The accusations are ridiculous."