The former president of New Caledonia's southern province has been charged in an affair over alleged phantom jobs.
Photo: ikiryo/123RF
Philippe Michel was charged several days ago - weeks after being taken in for questioning and months after the offices of his Caledonia Together party were searched by investigators.
About 20 people are alleged to have been working for the party during the 2017 French legislative elections while being employed by the provincial government.
Caledonia Together has denounced the investigation, calling it a plot orchestrated by the opposition.