France's state prosecutor made his closing argument Wednesday in the trial of dozens of political figures, including several former Cabinet ministers, alleged to have been involved in a party-funding scandal in the 1990s.

The state prosecutor, Henri Genin, said the lack of cooperation from witnesses largely contributed to the difficulty in bringing the case to trial. He also spoke of "fear and the law of silence which cement corruption *1."

Four former ministers are among 47 defendants in the case, which went to trial March 21 after an eight-year investigation.

They're accused of involvement in a secret deal under which companies allegedly funneled millions of francs (euros) in kickbacks during the 1990s to France's major political parties in exchange for contracts to build and renovate Paris area schools.

"It is time to render justice," Genin said.

Prosecutors allege that 2 percent of the money from school renovation contracts went to three political parties: President Jacques Chirac's former party, the Rally for the Republic, and its ally, the Republican Party, received 1.2 percent of the funds and the Socialists got 0.8 percent.

Chirac led the party while he served as mayor of Paris from 1977-1995, the period during which the prosecution says the alleged scheme was concocted. His Rally for the Republic has since been replaced by the Union for a Popular Movement.

The trial is not expected to conclude before early July.

The Defense was to make its closing remarks later Wednesday.

Among prominent defendants is Michel Roussin, 65, who served as Chirac's Cabinet director at Paris City Hall and was the government's cooperation minister from 1993 to 1994.

Another is Michel Giraud, former president of the Ile-de-France regional council, which is accused of playing a central role in the rigged public works contracts. Giraud was labor minister from 1993 to 1995.

The two face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.

Also on trial is Guy Drut, the 1976 Olympic 100-meter hurdle champion who later served as a sports minister and is now a member of the International Olympic Committee. The committee heading Paris' bid to host the 2012 Olympics, of which Drut is also a member, has sought to distance itself from the scandal.

Drut, who denies any guilt, is charged with pretending to hold a job at a construction company from June 1990 to February 1993. He allegedly received €113,887 (US$147,450) in pay during that time.

He could get five years in prison if convicted.

With acknowledgements to Pierre-Antoine Souchard and Sapa.

*1 Charming Gallic corruption.