Police question French labor minister on his connection to L’Oreal heiress in tax scandal

Police question French minister in L’Oreal affair

PARIS — Financial police are questioning Labor Minister Eric Woerth about his connection to the heiress of the L’Oreal cosmetics fortune in a scandal that has reached the highest levels of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s government.

A source close to the investigation who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to media said the questioning was under way Thursday at the Labor Ministry.

Woerth is expected to be questioned about numerous issues, including a possible role in her alleged tax evasion, illegal campaign financing for Sarkozy’s political party and conflicts of interest. Woerth denies the claims.