IMF chief Lagarde under formal investigation

International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde has been placed under formal investigation for negligence relating to a long-running political fraud case, an unnamed source has told Reuters.

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IMF chief Lagarde: Formal investigation 'is without basis'

International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde has said the decision to formally investigate her over negligence claims was "without basis".

In a statement after a fourth round of questioning before magistrates, Lagarde said she was returning to work in Washington later in the day.

International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said the decision was 'without basis'. Credit: Olivier Douliery/ABACA USA/Empics Entertainment

"After three years of proceedings, dozens of hours of questioning, the court found from the evidence that I committed no offence, and the only allegation is that I was not sufficiently vigilant," Lagarde said.

IMF chief 'under investigation' over negligence claims

International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde has been placed under formal investigation for negligence relating to a long-running political fraud case, an unnamed source has told Reuters.

Lagarde will appeal the French magistrates' decision to place her under formal investigation, saying the allegation of negligence was unfounded, the source stated.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde has said the allegation of negligence was unfounded. Credit: Laura Lean/PA Wire

The inquiry into French businessman Bernard Tapie has embroiled several of former president Nicolas Sarkozy's cabinet members, including Lagarde, who was finance minister.

Tapie was awarded €403 million (£321 million) in a 2008 arbitration payment under Sarkozy's presidency to settle a dispute with the now-defunct state-owned bank Credit Lyonnais over a share sale in 1993.

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