- The Washington Times - Wednesday, June 19, 2013

A handwritten letter leaked to the French press that International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde wrote to former President Nicolas Sarkozy has baffled the French, raising further suspicions over fraud at the highest levels of government, AFP reported Tuesday.

“Use me” Ms. Lagarde purportedly urged the former president in the undated letter court investigators seized at her Paris home in March.

“I’m on your side to serve you and serve your projects for France,” she wrote. “I have no personal political ambitions and I have no desire to become a servile status seeker, like many of the people around you whose loyalty is recent and short-lived.”

Critics described the letter as a pledge of allegiance and is reported to have been written during the 2007 French Presidential campaign, The Telegraph reported.

“Use me for as long as it suits you and suits your plans and casting call,” she continued. “If you decide to use me, I need you as a guide and a supporter: without a guide, I may be ineffective and without your support I may lack credibility.”

She signed off: “With my immense admiration, Christine L.”


SEE ALSO: IMF still confident in chief Christine Lagarde after French probe


Ms. Lagarde’s Paris apartment was raided as part of an investigation into her handling of a 2008 compensation payment to a businessman supporter of Mr. Sarkozy, her lawyer said, according to The Telegraph.

• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.

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