Europe

Investigation into event linked to French candidate Macron

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Former French Economy Minister and candidate for the next presidential election, Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at the University of Lille, during a political rally for his movement, En Marche! (Forward!) in Lille, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler) (The Associated Press)

Former French Economy Minister and candidate for the next presidential election, Emmanuel Macron takes a selfie before a speech at the University of Lille, during a political rally for his movement, En Marche! (Forward!) in Lille, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler) (The Associated Press)

Former French Economy Minister and candidate for the next presidential election, Emmanuel Macron poses for a photograph as he leaves the University of Lille, during a political rally for his movement, En Marche! (Forward!) in Lille, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler) (The Associated Press)

French prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected favoritism surrounding an event in Las Vegas promoted by presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron last year.

Macron's name, however, isn't mentioned so far in the investigation.

The probe is related to a French event organized during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 2016. Macron, economy minister at the time, took part in the event.

Business France, a French public agency in charge of promoting French companies abroad, is suspected of choosing French communications group Havas for organizing the event without seeking a bid.

The Paris prosecutor's office said Tuesday that a government body noticed irregularities in the way the event was organized. Prosecutors say "people likely to be involved so far are Business France and Havas (media group)."