Jean-Marie Le Pen's heirs ordered to repay 300,000 euros in undue office expenses

Ties, umbrellas, bottles of wine, and even virtual reality goggles... A very specific shopping list—and not an exhaustive one—that Jean-Marie Le Pen billed the European Parliament for between 2009 and 2018 during his term as an MEP, according to a report by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Yet another case of misappropriation of public funds for a party now well-versed in the exercise.

This series of personal expenses had been allocated under "budget line 400," a line whose use is strictly regulated and which must be used for the operational functioning of the political group or for actions related to the European Union. It is clear that virtual reality glasses do not fall into this category.

In July 2024, the Secretary-General of the European Parliament informed the former leader of the National Front that he was to pay a specific amount of €303,200.99. Although he had contested this request before the General Court of the European Union before his death, his three daughters – Marine, Marie-Caroline, and Yann – continued the proceedings as beneficiaries.

On Wednesday, the General Court of the European Union rejected the heirs' appeal, ruling that Parliament's procedure was not " contrary to the principles of legal certainty and the protection of legitimate expectations ."

An appeal can still be filed with the Court of Justice of the European Union within two months and ten days of notification of the decision, according to the General Court. According to AFP, the European Parliament has said it has "taken note" of the decision. As things stand, the three daughters could therefore be required to repay the €303,200.99 as beneficiaries.