The head of a French Polynesian public works agency, Bruno Marty, has failed in his bid to overturn a conviction for misspending public funds.
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The highest court in France upheld a $US10,000 fine and a one-year ban to hold a top position.
Marty had first been acquitted of charges of spending more than $US20,000 for personal matters by using the agency's credit card.
The prosecution appealed the decision and according to Radio1 the case has run its course with the verdict in Paris.
The court reportedly stated that as a former minister he should have shown utmost probity.
It also noted that he was well paid, earning $US12,500 a month.
Four years ago, Marty was given the agency position by the then president, Gaston Flosse, after suddenly resigning as transport minister following a car crash.
He was found to have been almost five times over the legal alcohol limit while being in charge of road safety.
It also became public that he had three drink drive convictions and was supposed to have surrendered the licence months earlier.
He was given a suspended six month jail sentence.