IMF Managing Director ChristineLagarde is to stand trial for her role in a €400 million out-of-courtsettlement between the French government and businessman Bernard Tapie in 2008,after France's highest appeals court rejected her appeal against a previouscourt order, Reuters reported.

Lagarde was French finance ministerwhen she signed off on the settlement. In December 2015, a judge orderedLagarde to standtrial at a special court for her role in the payout, saying herdecision at the time amounted to more than a case of negligence, a judicialsource told the newswire.

With her appeal against the judge'sorder denied, Lagarde could stand trial as early as before 2016-end, Reuterssaid in its July 22 report. IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said the fund continues tohave confidence in its managing director.