Francois Fillon To Stay In French Presidential Race As Payments Scandal Grows

Francois Fillon, the center-right politician running to become France's next president, said Wednesday he's staying in the race even as he faces a summons over an investigation into payments to his wife. Fillon said during a press conference that he'll be summoned to face charges on March 15 following a police investigation into his wife's pay from public funds. The allegations are that his wife, Penelope, was paid roughly €500,000 without doing any work. Fillon insisted he hasn't embezzled any money and that the allegations amount to "political assassination." Fillon, a former prime minister, abruptly held a press conference after cancelling a visit to an agricultural fair. The euro fell to $1.0536 as Fillon spoke, but yields on French 10-year and 2-year bonds were little changed.