French Labor Minister Eric Woerth was questioned Thursday by police on his involvement in alleged tax evasion by Liliane Bettencourt, the richest woman in France.

The judicial questioning started Thursday morning in the minister's office in Paris. Woerth's lawyer refused to comment, according to local media, saying there would be a news conference before evening.

Primary investigations concerning the minister began last week after Wednesday's cabinet meeting.

Bettencourt, the heirness of the L'Oreal make-up empire, is in legal dispute with her daughter, which exposed allegations of tax evasion and illegal funding for the ruling party UMP during President Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential campaign.

Woerth, who at that time worked as UMP's party treasurer, was accused of accepting the illegal donations. It is also alleged his wife secured her job as financial adviser to Bettencourt's fortune under his influence.

The minister said he would like to explain himself as soon as possible and accepted the judicial investigation.

He announced he would quit as UMP treasurer at the end of July following the emergence of the scandal.

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