France's Marine Le Pen rejects embezzlement claims as presidential bid hangs in the balance

PARIS (AP) — Marine Le Pen has focused all her energy in recent weeks fighting what she claims are unfair accusations that her National Rally party embezzled European Parliament funds. France’s leading far-right figure is now facing a crucial moment in a high-profile trial where her eligibility...

Jailed former Malaysian leader apologizes for fund embezzlement scandal, reiterates his innocence

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Imprisoned former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak issued a rare apology Thursday over the looting of a state investment fund worth billions of dollars "under my watch" while reiterating his innocence. Najib set up the 1Malaysia Development Berhad...

An Alabama city's ex-finance director pleads guilty to embezzling nearly $1M

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The former finance director for a city in a suburb of the central Alabama city of Birmingham has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $1 million. Robert Winston Burgett entered the plea Wednesday to three counts of wire fraud in federal court in Birmingham,...

Hartford city council member is charged with embezzling from a church

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A member of the city council in Connecticut's capital has been charged with embezzling from a church where he worked. Alexander Thomas, 27, surrendered Tuesday to Hartford police, who were first informed by the church in June of thefts from April 2023 to...

France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen faces court on charges of embezzling EU funds

PARIS (AP) — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen strongly denied committing any wrongdoing at a Paris court Monday as she and her National Rally party stand trial over the suspected embezzlement of European Parliament funds. The nine-week trial is a critical juncture for Le Pen,...

Patrick says Texas Legislature will review Deloitte’s contracts after public loan project scandal

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Tuesday that the Legislature will review all of the state’s existing contracts with the firm Deloitte after it selected a company whose CEO was previously convicted of an “embezzlement scheme” as a project finalist for a low-interest, taxpayer-funded loan program to...

Former Iowa mayor gets probation for role in embezzlement case

ARMSTRONG, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa mayor who was among several town officials charged in an embezzlement case was sentenced to probation Tuesday. Greg Buum served multiple stints as mayor of Armstrong, a community of 845 residents in the northern part of the state. Buum pleaded guilty...

France's Le Pen denies wrongdoing as she and her party go on trial accused of embezzling EU funds

PARIS (AP) — French far-right leader Marine Le Pen denied violating any rules as she and her National Rally party and two dozen others went on trial on Monday, accused of embezzling European Parliament funds, in a case that has the potential to derail her political ambitions. Le...

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen denies wrongdoing as she and her party go on trial accused of embezzling EU funds

Former Lebanon central bank chief to remain in jail while facing corruption charges

BEIRUT (AP) — A Lebanese judge ruled Monday that the country’s former central bank chief will remain in jail while facing charges of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from state coffers. Lebanon’s Financial Public Prosecution division charged Riad Salameh last week with...