Misappropriation of mandate fees: former LREM MP Anne-Christine Lang sentenced to a fine of 60,000 euros

Former MP Anne-Christine Lang was sentenced on Tuesday, May 9, to a fine of 60,000 euros and a three-year sentence of ineligibility after having recognized, before the Paris court, an embezzlement of her compensation for mandate fees (IRFM) between 2015 and 2017.

These sentences were proposed by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) as part of an appearance with prior admission of guilt (CRPC), a sort of French-style guilty plea. They have been approved by a court judge.

The former elected socialist then LREM, who left politics and returned to National Education in September 2022, on the other hand obtained an exemption from the registration of her conviction in the criminal record.

Spending on children’s toys and clothes

During the hearing, she recognized a “embezzlement of public funds” for some “non-compliant expenses” for the use of its IRFM between March 2015 and December 2017, up to 44,649.82 euros.

She was accused in particular of having used this allowance for medical expenses, expenses for childcare equipment, toys and children’s clothing, contributions to a political party or even repayments of personal loans. The former MP repaid this sum in full last February.

His case had been reported in 2019, among others, to justice by the High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life (HATVP) after revelations from Radio France and the World.