Lagarde has been accused of involvement in a multimillion-euro government payment to businessman Bernard Tapie and may face one year imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 euros.
She came under investigation in August 2014 for authorizing the payment of 403 million euros ($434 million at the current exchange rate) in an out-of-court settlement to French businessman Bernard Tapie.
Back in 1993, Tapie decided to sell his stake in the company Adidas. The deal was brokered by state-owned bank Crédit Lyonnais, against which the businessman later filed charges of fraud.
Thus, Lagarde has been accused of having failed to block an arbitration process which could have been influenced by political motives. Investigators assume that the decision in favor of Tapie could have been made for political reasons, with the permission of Nicolas Sarkozy.
It is known that during the presidential campaign of 2007 millionaire Bernard Tapie gave Nicolas Sarkozy financial support. The 403 million euro compensation may have been a kickback for his support in the election, RT wrote.
In December 2015, a French court ordered Lagarde to stand trial for alleged negligence in the affair. However, Lagarde considers the charges against her "absolutely groundless," saying that "the choice of judges — was not in her competence."
The criminal case against Strauss-Kahn was suspended when it was revealed that the woman lied to investigators, but the reputation of former IMF head had been completely damaged.
