IMF Chief Christine Lagarde has gone on trial in France for negligence over a compensation payment made by a state-owned bank to a businessman in 2008. <br/><br/>As Finance Minister of then-President Nicolas Sarkozy, she approved an award of 429 million dollars to Bernard Tapie for the disputed sale of a firm. Mr Tapie had supported Mr Sarkozy in the 2007 presidential election. She is accused of allowing the misuse of public funds, rather than corruption. She denies wrongdoing.<br/><br/>Ms Lagarde, 60, is now facing the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) on charges of negligence by a person in position of public authority. If convicted, Ms Lagarde could face one year in prison.<br/>