French fraud trial opens for rightwing power couple Surrounded by cameras, French politician Patrick Balkany arrives at the Paris Criminal Court at the start of his six-week trial for tax fraud and money laundering. The right-wing mayor of Levallois-Perret and his wife Isabelle are accused of hiding two luxury villas and other assets worth 13 million euros (14.6 million dollars) from tax authorities. Isabelle did not attend the start of the trial, having been hospitalised earlier this month after overdosing on prescription medicine. IMAGES