Sarkozy lawyer calls charges 'scandalous'

Mar 22, 4:56 AM EDT Sarkozy lawyer calls charges 'scandalous'

Business Video Buy AP Photo Reprints Interactive Surviving Normandy E. Dehillerin Truffles Draw Crowds, High Prices Transportation Workers Strike in France Sarkozy, Wife Divorce Sarkozy's Inauguration France's New President Latest News New bells are rung at Notre Dame cathedral French minister resigns in face of tax-fraud probe In colorblind France, rising diversity tests unity Top French lawyer's body found washed up on beach British climber, son fall to death in French Alps PARIS (AP) -- A lawyer for Nicolas Sarkozy slammed an investigation into the campaign finances of former French president, saying he is being treated "scandalously." Thierry Herzog says Friday that Sarkozy remains "combative" but still considers that he "has been treated scandalously." Herzog's comments on French radio RTL come a day after a judge filed preliminary charges against Sarkozy, formally placing him under investigation over allegations he illegally took donations from France's richest woman on the way to his 2007 election victory. Sarkozy is charged with "abuse of someone in an impaired state" in the case involving L'Oreal cosmetics heiress Liliane Bettencourt, who is now 90. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment and a 375,000 euro ($484,000) fine.

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