Le Pen adviser in probe over loans

PARIS - Frederic Chatillon, an adviser to French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, on Saturday was put under formal investigation for allegedly making an illegal loan to Le Pen's National Front party. The latest news is expected to deepen the uncertainty of the race as presidential hopeful Francois Fillo faces a troublesome scandal, with frontrunner Emmanueal Macron being criticized for his policies.

Chatillon, a 49-year-old businessman and communication adviser, faces charges of fraud and misappropriation of social assets to illegally finance the National Front party regional and European campaigns in 2014 and 2015.

Chatillon has already been charged with illegal campaign financing in 2012 presidential and legislative elections through his media company Riwal.