Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday denounced legal moves against him in connection with a probe into illegal party funding as "unfair and unfounded", reports FRANCE 24.
In his first personal reaction to the charge laid on Thursday, Sarkozy used his Facebook page to insist he had not taken advantage of France's richest woman, Liliane Bettencourt, when she was weakened by ill health.
"I want to insist that, at no moment in my public life, did I betray the duties of my office," Sarkozy wrote.
"I will put all my energy into proving my integrity and honesty. The truth will triumph in the end. I have no doubt about that."
Sarkozy's lawyers are attempting to overturn a decision by three examining magistrates to charge him in a case threatening to destroy his hopes of a political comeback.
The former president was charged on Thursday after being summoned for face-to-face encounters with former members of Bettencourt's staff, including her butler.
The confrontation was the latest chapter in an investigation into allegations Sarkozy accepted envelopes stuffed with cash from ailing L'Oreal heiress Bettencourt to fund his 2007 election campaign.
Investigators suspect up to four million euros ($5.2 million) of Bettencourt's cash made its way into the coffers of Sarkozy's UMP party. Bettencourt is now 90 and has been incapacitated since 2006, according to doctors.
Sarkozy could face up to three years in jail, a fine of 375,000 euros ($484,000), and a five-year ban from public office if convicted.
He recently dropped several hints that he is considering a return to the frontline of French politics, suggesting recently he could be forced to out of a sense of duty to his country.
Against that backdrop, his lawyers have branded the decision to charge him as politically motivated.
Sarkozy remains more popular with right-wing voters than any other figure in his UMP party and a poll published on Sunday revealed that nearly two thirds of the electorate do not think the scandal will prevent him from making a political comeback.
Read more of this report from FRANCE 24.
See also:
Nicolas Sarkozy put under investigation for 'exploiting' L'Oréal heiress: the French Right cry foul
One of France's top criminal lawyers 'commits suicide'
- For more of Mediapart's in-depth reporting on the Bettencourt affair, click on the links below:
Judge links L'Oréal heiress cash withdrawals to Sarkozy campaign funding
Sarkozy campaign treasurer under investigation for illegal funding, influence peddling
L'Oréal heiress ordered to pay 77.7 million euros after tax scam probe
Behind the bettencourt affair: the battle for L'Oréal
A scandal too far: Bettencourt magistrate is disowned
French prosecutor in Bettencourt affair illegally spied journalists' phone calls
The eerie plot penned by L'Oréal family scandal dandy in 1971
Dinners, cash and Sarkozy: what Bettencourt's accountant told Mediapart
Bettencourt butler bites back: 'I saw L'Oréal family destroyed'
Bettencourt battle back after L'Oréal heiress signs away 143 million euros
The political guard watching over L'Oréal
Bettencourt chauffeur adds to Sarkozy campaign fund allegations
Bettencourt tapes stolen in mystery break-ins targetting Mediapart, Le Point and Le Monde
French interior minister drops libel action against Mediapart