Sarkozy faces final ruling on poll funds

France's top appeals court was expected yesterday to rule in a case of alleged illegal campaign financing against former president Nicolas Sarkozy, his last chance to escape adding a second definitive conviction to his growing rap sheet.

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Sarkozy: Dismisses charges as 'lies'

The Court of Cassation in Paris was due to rule on whether a lower court was right to convict him of illegal financing in his failed 2012 reelection campaign.

If it upholds Sarkozy's conviction, he will serve a six-month term, possibly with an electronic bracelet.

Sarkozy, a one-term president from 2007-2012, has faced a series of legal challenges since leaving office.

Yesterday's hearing is his last chance to escape a second conviction after he was sent to jail last month in a separate case, related to an earlier election campaign.