The sentences brought to a close the last and biggest case arising from the Paris municipal and regional council racket in the 1980s and early 1990s — when M Chirac was mayor — during which millions of euros were skimmed from building contracts in the Paris region.

Guy Drut, 54, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), received a 15-month suspended jail term. The two other leading defendants were Michel Giraud, 76, a former President of the Île-de-France (Paris regional) council and Michel Roussin, 66, who served as M Chirac’s Chief of Staff. They were also given suspended terms and fined €80,000 (£54,000) and €50,000 (£34,000) respectively.

Drut, a 1976 Olympic hurdles gold-medalwinner, was fined €50,000. His legal trouble embarrassed Paris when it was making its bid for the 2012 Olympics. The IOC said at the time that questions about his suspension from the committee would not arise unless he was convicted.

M Chirac was not legally implicated in this or previous trials stemming from his associates’ actions because his post gives him immunity from investigation and prosecution. But his reputation has been tarnished by the cases involving his closest aides.

The President, 72, may be liable to judicial proceedings when he leaves office in May 2007. Alain Juppé, his deputy mayor at the time, has been convicted.

Times Recommends

• Putin set to bait US with nuclear aid for Tehran
• North Korea ‘uses doubles to hide death of Kim’
• Academics label Charlie Wilson too 'gung-ho'