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Breaking: French far-right leader Le Pen found guilty in embezzlement trial

The judges in Paris found all of the defendants guilty on Monday morning in a case relating to fake jobs at the European parliament. However the main focus in the case is whether Le Pen herself will be barred from holding public office. Sentences are expected to be announced later on Monday. Advertisement Prosecutors had requested a five-year jail term and a five-year ban on holding public office for Le Pen. The judges have the choice of either imposing a ban on holding public office effective immediately, or suspended while she appeals. Because appeals can be spun out for several years this would likely amount to the difference between Le Pen being able to stand in the next presidential election (scheduled for 2027) or not. If the ban is effective immediately, then she has the option of appealing to the Conseil Constitutionnel. READ ALSO The Le Pen embezzlement case explained The case centred around 'fake jobs' - Le Pen and her co-defendants accused of taking up to €3 million in European Parliament funds for staff members who actually worked for the Rassemblement National party in France, and in some cases had never even visited the European Parliament. A bodyguard, a secretary, Le Pen's chief of staff and a graphic designer were all hired under false pretences over a period between 2004 and 2016. The case was first flagged in 2015. Le Pen's father Jean-Marie - founder of the party - was originally among the defendants but was excused from the case on health grounds. He died in January at the age of 96. READ ALSO OPINION Le Pen's future in the balance and France is heading for a messy constitutional row More to follow