A six year legal battle engulfing some of ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy's closest allies, took a new twist on Wednesday, when his former advisor Patrick Buisson was put under investigation for fraud, reports RFI.
He's accused of pocketing more than 10 million euros for conducting opinion polls serving no public interest.
Police are investigating nine polling institutes on charges of "favouritism" and "embezzlement," after they signed lucrative presidential contracts, during Nicolas Sarokzy's five year term, without a proper bidding process.
But it's Patrick Buisson's company Publifact, which has received the most criticism.
Hired by the former President for services ranging from consultancy, reporting, to commenting public opinion, Buisson is alleged to have pocketed 1.5 million euros in just one month after Sarkozy's 2012 election win.