Tax-fraud probe centering on French minister grows
Probe broadened into alleged laundering of tax-fraud money in case ensnaring budget minister
PARIS (AP) -- Paris prosecutors have opened a judicial investigation into alleged laundering of money gained through tax fraud in a case centering on France's budget minister.
The move Tuesday means an investigative judge will extend a probe involving Jerome Cahuzac — though investigators haven't turned up enough evidence to charge him by name. The minister has long been a vocal crusader against use of overseas tax havens.
President Francois Hollande has supported Cahuzac since a preliminary investigation was opened in the matter in January.
The case was brought to light by online journal Mediapart. It alleged Cahuzac had transferred money from a Swiss account into one in Singapore, and produced a recording that it said was of Cahuzac's voice talking about his secret account.
Cahuzac countered with a defamation complaint against Mediapart.
