French far-right leader Marine Le Pen found guilty of embezzlement, barred from running for office

French politician Marine Le Pen was barred Monday from running for public office for five years after a judge ruled that she was guilty of embezzlement.

Le Pen, a member of the far-right National Rally party, can appeal the verdict, but the ruling would still leave her unable to run for president in 2027.

The judge said that Le Pen's party had used money from the European Parliament for its own benefit, according to The Associated Press.

Eight other National Rally members, either current or former European Parliament lawmakers, were also found guilty of embezzlement.

Le Pen and her co-defendants face up to 10 years in prison. If they appeal, they will have another trial. 

Le Pen has run for president of France in 2012, 2017 and 2022.

She also served as the president of the National Rally from 2011 to 2021.