Nicolas Sarkozy Definitively Convicted for Illegal Campaign Financing in Bygmalion Scandal

On November 26, 2025, the Cour de cassation confirmed the definitive conviction of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy for illegal campaign financing during his failed 2012 presidential bid. Sarkozy was sentenced to one year in prison, with six months to be served in custody, for benefiting from a scheme involving double billing to hide overspending on his campaign, which totaled nearly €43 million — nearly double the legal spending limit of €22.5 million.

Though Sarkozy was not directly implicated in the creation of false invoices, the court held him responsible as a candidate who benefited from illicit political funding. Throughout the proceedings, Sarkozy has denied all criminal wrongdoing, dismissing the charges as "fables" and "lies." His sentence includes electronic monitoring via a bracelet, reflecting a moderation from the original prison term.

This marks Sarkozy’s second definitive criminal conviction following an earlier guilty verdict in the 'Bismuth' case for corruption and influence peddling. His judicial challenges continue with an ongoing appeal trial slated for March 2026 concerning his alleged role in securing illicit Libyan funds for his 2007 presidential campaign. Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison for this affair in September 2025 and had served three weeks in detention before release under judicial supervision.

The former president’s complex legal battles extend beyond these cases. He faces investigations into alleged witness tampering linked to the Libyan affair, with key witness Ziad Takieddine’s contradictory statements prompting inquiries in which Sarkozy himself has been indicted. Moreover, he is under scrutiny for suspected influence peddling related to the Russian insurer Reso Garantia and is implicated in ongoing investigations into his conduct surrounding the controversial awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

Sarkozy plans to publish a book titled "Le Journal d’un prisonnier" roughly a month after his release, sharing his prison experience and reflecting on justice and politics. Observers anticipate this publication could influence public opinion on his legal ordeals and political legacy.

Currently, Sarkozy is serving his sentence with electronic monitoring as legal processes continue to unfold, notably the highly anticipated appeal in the Libyan financing case starting in March 2026. His enduring presence on the judicial stage underscores a turbulent period for one of France’s most prominent political figures.