France's Sarkozy hit by new phone tap leaks

July 12, 2014 20:33

The corruption scandal surrounding former French president Nicolas Sarkozy deepened further today with fresh leaks of telephone conversations purporting to show he offered to get a judge a plum job in return for favours.

Sarkozy, who was charged two weeks ago with corruption and influence peddling in a case related to his campaign to win the presidency in 2007, claims he is the victim of a "grotesque" set-up. He accuses his enemies of using the justice system to undermine a possible political comeback.

But according to extracts from tapped calls published by the French daily Le Monde today, the ex-president appears to lobby for a job for the judge in Monaco in return for his help on one of six bribery and funding scandals in which Sarkozy is embroiled.

In intercepted mobile phone calls with his longtime lawyer -- who also faces charges - Sarkozy is alleged to have said, "I will help him (the judge)... I will get him set up," adding, "Call him today and tell him I will sort it out. I am going to

Monaco and I will see the prince (Albert)."

The conversations are alleged to have taken place in February this year on a mobile phone the 59-year-old politician bought using a false name.

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