French judges put adviser of Le Pen under formal investigation for campaign financing: report

Frederic Chatillon, an adviser of French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, on Saturday was put under formal investigation for the National Front party's campaign financing in 2014 and 2015, according to local reports.

The 49-year-old businessman and communication adviser faces charges of fraud and misappropriation of social assets to illegally financing the party regional and European campaigns in 2014 and 2015.

Chatillon has already been charged with illegal campaign financing in 2012 presidential and legislative elections through his media company Riwal.

As the election comes closer, Le Pen's campaign has already been tainted by allegations that she used European parliament fund to pay her France-based party staff.

Her chief of staff was put under formal investigation earlier this weak.

Le Pen rejected the accusation when responding to investigators' questions over European fund misuse claims.

She still remains one of the election's frontrunners. Pollsters said the 49-year-old lawyer was likely to win the first round of voting on April 23. However, she would lose the run-off in May to whoever should be her opponent.

Styling herself as "the candidate of people", Le Pen pledged to slash migration, send homes all illegal migrants and impose taxes on the jobs being done by foreigners. Endit