Chirac, 78, is accused of using public money to pay people to work for his political party, the RPR.

Chirac was mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995, the year he became president.

He allegedly used seven city employees, who were hired by the city of Paris in the early 1990s and were on the city payroll, to work for his center-right political party. The RPR party no longer exists.

Former French Prime Minister Alain Juppe was sentenced in December 2004 for his role in the affair, but Chirac benefited from presidential immunity at the time. After Chirac left office in May 2007, he made it known he was available to answer any questions on the matter.

Chirac could face a five-year prison sentence and a fine of US$100,000 if found guilty of using the employees to work for his party.

The former president denies the accusations.