The wife of French presidential candidate François Fillon has been placed under formal investigation, a judicial source within the magistrate of the French National Financial Prosecutors' Office told CNN.
Penelope Fillon is being investigated for complicity, concealment and embezzlement of public funds, misuse of public funds, and concealment of aggravated fraud over claims that her husband paid her and their children for work they didn't do.
François Fillon is under investigation on multiple counts, including embezzlement of public funds.
Fillon has in the past apologized for the scandal, and has constantly spoken out against what he perceives as "incredible violence which has never been seen in the Fifth Republic."
Penelope Fillon has also spoken out against those spreading "crazy rumors" while saying her husband would "go on until the end" in his bid for the presidency.
CNN is trying to reach out to the Fillons for more comment.
François Fillon has been criticized for failing to quit the race since he became embroiled in the parliamentary scandal over the claims. His scandal-hit campaign suffered another blow this month when he was placed under formal investigation.
Fillon's problems started when French newspaper Le Canard Enchainé published reports that his wife and two of his adult children earned nearly €1 million ($1.08 million) as parliamentary assistants for the alleged fake jobs.
The candidate has rejected the claims, saying his wife worked for 15 years as his deputy and handled several roles, including managing his schedule and representing him at cultural events. He also said his daughter and son were employed in similar positions for 15 months and six months respectively, which he said is not illegal, but was an "error of judgment."
French voters go to the polls on April 23 but if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, there will be a runoff election on May 7.