French elections: Hollande rejects claim he orchestrated media leaks to derail Fillon’s campaign

‘French President Francois Hollande has rebuked accusations by conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon, who accused him of ordering leaks of compromising materials about Fillon’s wife getting a “fictitious” job as a parliamentary aide.
Fillon has seen his ratings plummet since the revelation by satirical French magazine Le Canard Enchainé in January that his wife, Penelope Fillon, has received some 700,000 euros ($757,000) over 15 years allegedly working as his parliamentary assistant. The report came under heightened media scrutiny and allegations of a fictitious character were put forward, eventually prompting a formal investigation into purported fraud.
Earlier this week, reports emerged that the investigation has been broadened with Fillon now facing allegations of “aggravated fraud, forgery and use of forgeries,” with the latest additions to the case relating to him reportedly falsifying documents to prove his wife’s employment.’
Read more: French elections: Hollande rejects claim he orchestrated media leaks to derail Fillon’s campaign