THE former French president Jacques Chirac has been put under formal investigation for his alleged role in a 'ghost jobs' corruption scam.

He is to be questioned about accusations he gave fictitious posts with large salaries and expense accounts to friends and political allies during his time as mayor of Paris.

Chirac is accused of “illegally benefiting” from seven jobs given to aides who were allegedly paid for by city hall but working for his rightwing political party.

Being mise en examen, as Chirac has been, means the investigating judge believes there is strong evidence to suggest involvement in a crime. It gives investigators time to decide whether he should be sent for trial or the case dropped.

In October Chirac was also put under investigation of separate charges of misusing 4.5 million euros of public funds to hire charges de mission (special representatives) at city hall who worked for his political party.

If the cases go to trial it will be the first time a modern French leader has faced justice on criminal charges. Chirac could also face 10 years in jail and a fine of 150,000 euros. The hearings are expected next year.

The 77-year-old former leader vehemently denies any wrongdoing. He has already served as a witness in the case, which saw his political ally Alain Juppe, the former prime minister, jailed for his part in a fake jobs scandal. Juppe was convicted in December 2004, given a 14-month suspended sentence and banned from holding an elected position for one year. Chirac's supporters say no further information has since emerged to incriminate the former president.

“We state once again that no such system ever existed at the city hall,” said a spokesman after Chirac appeared before judge Jacques Gazeaux.

“He [Chirac] has already responded to all of these questions regarding this case in July 2007 and nothing new has emerged since then.”

He added “As with the other case, President Chirac hopes that the matter will be dealt with as quickly as possible so it can be definitively established that he can be faulted for nothing.”

— The Guardian, London