PARIS - A French public prosecutor urged an appeal court yesterday to impose a heavier punishment on bankrupt business tycoon Bernard Tapie, who was given a six-month sentence for tax evasion in managing his luxury yacht.
Prosecutor Claude Fortin said the term should be raised to eight months. Tapie is already serving a separate eight-month jail term for rigging a soccer match. The flamboyant former minister made his first public appearance since he was jailed almost two months ago at the appeal hearing which started on Thursday.
A court had previously convicted him for passing off the majestic 74-metre four-masted ship Phocea as a means of promoting his business, although he was its only beneficiary.
