French candidate's wife faces charges over parliament jobs
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A torn poster with the picture of conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon is pasted on a barrier in Paris, France, Monday, March 27, 2017. The first French presidential ballot will take place on April 23 and the two top candidates go into a runoff on May 7. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (The Associated Press)
The wife of French presidential candidate Francois Fillon is facing preliminary charges over well-paid parliamentary jobs that investigators suspect she never performed.
Fillon himself has already been charged in the case, which has deeply damaged the conservative candidate's chances for the two-round election April 23 and May 7. He is suspected of embezzlement and other charges.
Penelope Fillon is expected to face investigating judges Tuesday in Paris who can hand her preliminary charges in the case.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Investigators recently expanded the probe on suspicions that the couple falsified documents after the investigation opened to prove that Penelope carried out parliamentary work for her husband.
The Fillons have denied wrongdoing. Francois Fillon, once the front-runner, calls the investigation a smear campaign to torpedo his presidential campaign.