French ex-minister in court over tax fraud, money laundering

PARIS (AP) — A former French budget minister is going on trial for hiding his wealth in tax havens around the world while, at the same time, being the country's top official in charge of fighting tax evasion.

With the French presidential election eight months away, the trial is sure to revive voters' memories of the scandal that tarnished Hollande's mandate just a few months after the socialist president was elected in 2012.

On trial Monday alongside Cahuzac are his former wife; a banker; a legal adviser; and bank Reyl, a respectable but little-known Swiss establishment, all accused of money laundering.

On Monday, the Paris prosecutor's office said it has requested a criminal trial for former President Nicolas Sarkozy over suspected illegal overspending on his failed 2012 re-election campaign.