Carlos Ghosn indicted for alleged breach of trust; lawyer to move bail application for ex-Nissan chief

Tokyo: Nissan’s ex-chairman Carlos Ghosn was charged Friday with breach of trust in the latest blow for the star executive, according to the Tokyo District Court. Ghosn was detained on 19 November. Earlier, he was charged with falsifying financial reports in under-reporting his income by about 5 billion yen ($44 million) over five years through 2015. Ghosn, Greg Kelly, another Nissan executive, and Nissan as a legal entity were charged on Friday with additional under-reporting of income, from 2015 through fiscal 2017. [caption id=“attachment_5591381” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] A file photo of Carlos Ghosn. Reuters[/caption] Ghosn’s lawyer said he would request Ghosn be granted release on bail. His detention period for the breach of trust allegations was due to expire on Friday. Kelly and Nissan were not charged with breach of trust. Those allegations center on Ghosn’s handling of investment losses and payments made to a Saudi businessman. Ghosn, 64, says he’s innocent. Suspects in Japan are routinely held for months until trials start. Tokyo prosecutors say Ghosn, a Brazilian-born Frenchman of Lebanese ancestry, is a flight risk. Earlier this week Ghosn told a Tokyo court he was innocent, in his first public appearance since his arrest, and appealed for his detention to end. But the court rejected the request. “I have a genuine love and appreciation for Nissan,” Ghosn told the court. “In all of my efforts on behalf of the company, I have acted honorably, legally and with the knowledge and approval of the appropriate executives inside the company.” He said the compensation was never decided on, the investment deal never resulted in any losses to Nissan, and the payments to the Saudi businessman was for legitimate services related to dealers and investments in the Gulf. Ghosn, who appeared much thinner than before his arrest, came down with a fever the day after his court appearance, but has since recovered, his lawyer Motonari Ohtsuru said. His wife Carole Ghosn issued a statement overnight out of Paris, expressing concern over his sickness. “I am pleading with the Japanese authorities to provide us with any information at all about my husband’s health. We are fearful and very worried his recovery will be complicated while he continues to endure such harsh conditions and unfair treatment,” she said. Apart from prosecutors, only embassy officials and Ghosn’s lawyers are allowed to visit him. Such visits were canceled on Thursday but resumed on Friday.

Before his sudden downfall, Ghosn was a respected figure in the global auto industry, having rescued the Japanese automaker from near-bankruptcy, building its sales operations and profits and pioneering ecological vehicles.

Nissan says an internal investigation began middle of last year after whistleblowers came forward. Nissan chief executive Hiroto Saikawa has denounced Ghosn, accusing him of using company money and assets for personal gain. Ethics officials at Nissan’s alliance partner Renault SA of France concluded this week that financial compensation to members of the French automaker’s executive committee in 2017 and 2018 was fraud-free. The review was initiated after Ghosn was arrested. Ghosn remains CEO of Renault.   To keep watching India’s No. 1 English Business News Channel – CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News – CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day.