Sadly, Jacques Couldn't Make It to Copenhagen

Unfortunately, the gathering of grifters, thieves and miscreants in Copenhagen was missing one of their own this week in Copenhagen. He's a bit tied up at the moment.

Disgraced former French President Jacques Chirac was today formally charged with embezzlement after being accused of creating fictitious jobs so as to pay political cronies.

The 77-year-old, who stepped down as head of state in favour of Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007, is said to have been guilty of widespread fraud during his time as Paris mayor.

If he is found guilty he faces up to five years in prison and risks a fine of up to £70,000.

He is already facing up to 10 years in prison and a further fine of around £135,000 for another case of embezzlement and breach of trust for which he was charged on October 30.

Both cases mark the first time that a modern French leader has been threatened with a trial in a public court.

The latest case, which in 2004 led to the conviction of former Prime Minister Alain Juppe, is just another in a long line of legal scandals for Chirac to contend with.

May justice be swift and merciless.