Charles Pasqua (born April 18, 1927) - is a French businessman and politician. He was born in Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes, France and has a degree in Law.

Political career

From 1952 to 1971, he worked for Ricard, a producer of alcoholic beverages (most notably pastis), starting as a salesman. In 1947, he helped create the section of the RPF movement for the Alpes-Maritimes. In 1968, he helped create the Service d'Action Civique and participated in the organization of the May 30, 1968 Gaullist counter-demonstration.

From 1968 to 1973, he was deputy to the French National Assembly for the Hauts-de-Seine département for the UDR, of which he was a leading member from 1974 to 1976.

From 1981 to 1986, he was senator for the Hauts-de-Seine, then president of the RPR group in the Senate. From 1986 to 1988, and 1993 to 1995 he was Interior Minister (in charge of law enforcement). He is mostly remembered for having pushed a series of anti-immigration laws (lois Pasqua).

In 2003, he is a sovereignist deputy to the European parliament. In 2004, he was elected senator by an electoral college. Many commentators alleged that this senate position, granting parliamentary immunity, was motivated by prosecution closing on Pasqua.

Corruption scandals

He was named in corruption scandals concerning the public housing projects of the Hauts-de-Seine (see Corruption scandals in the Paris region).

In 2004, his name appeared on the list, published by al Mada, of people who allegedly received corruption money from Saddam Hussein's government in Iraq during the Oil for Food program. He has denied the charges.