PARIS: France's financial prosecutor opened an inquiry on Monday into allegations that President Emmanuel Macron's chief of staff breached conflict of interest rules while working for the state and the Swiss-Italian Mediterranean Shipping Company.
The investigation comes after anti-graft group Anticor filed a complaint accusing the aide, Alexis Kohler, of influence-peddling and breaking conflict of interest rules over his ties to the Mediterranean Shipping Company while in public office.
"The financial prosecutor has opened an investigation to verify whether the rules relating to the private-sector activities of public officials have been respected," the financial prosecutor's office said.
Kohler did not respond to an SMS text message seeking comment. The Elysee Palace said Kohler had not acted unlawfully and would cooperate with the investigation.
Macron's chief of staff quizzed
Macron's chief of staff quizzed
