Chirac denies secret bank account

PARIS, France (UPI) -- The French president is denying accusations he has a secret bank account in Japan into which large donations were paid by an unnamed foundation.

President Jacques Chirac, who usually dismisses corruption allegations, went public to deny he`s been paid nearly $56 million in a secret account at the Tokyo Sowa Bank.

The allegations began when the French satirical weekly, Le Canard Enchaine, reported French intelligence head Gen. Philippe Rondot blew Chirac`s cover during another corruption inquiry.

Rondot is being questioned about who ordered an investigation of Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, and about allegations he took kickbacks from sales of warships to Taiwan.