France

Initial charges were filed Wednesday against a photographer accused of taking advantage of the frailty of France’s richest woman, cosmetics heiress Liliane Bettencourt (pictured), to the tune of approximately 1 billion euros in cash and gifts.

A French court ruled Monday that L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, be placed under guardianship, said a lawyer for her daughter, who sparked a bitter dispute with her claim that her mother was mentally unfit to manage the family fortune.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy received cash for his 2007 election campaign from the L’Oreal heiress was involved in an influence-peddling scandal last year, according to excerpts of a new book to be published Thursday. Sarkozy denied the reports.

The daughter of France’s richest woman, L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, is once again trying to have her mother made a ward of court in an effort to protect her inheritance. The scandal has dominated French headlines since summer 2010.

L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, France’s richest woman, reconciled with her daughter on Monday and agreed to end all ongoing court cases. Francoise Bettencourt-Meyers had tried to declare her mother “mentally unfit” to handle her fortune.

The French prosecutor (pictured) probing a massive scandal linked to L'Oreal billionaire Liliane Bettencourt handed over the investigation to independent judges Friday following criticisms of his handling of the probe.

The French prosecutor (pictured) probing a massive scandal linked to L'Oreal billionaire Liliane Bettencourt handed over the investigation to independent judges Friday following criticisms of his handling of the probe.

L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt (pictured), France's richest woman, lodged a suit against her daughter Wednesday alleging psychological abuse. Her daughter's lawyer, Olivier Metzner, has called the suit a public relations stunt.

"I can no longer accept such harassment by my daughter", wrote L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt in a statement made on Sunday in which she said that she is considering taking legal action against her 57-year-old daughter.

France's top prosecutor recommended on Monday that a probe be launched into corruption allegations involving Labour Minister Eric Woerth (photo), campaign financing for President Nicolas Sarkozy and the financial affairs of France's richest woman.