Ex-Nissan boss denies charges
FORMER CHAIRMAN CARLOS GHOSN APPEARS IN COURT ACCUSED OF FALSIFYING FINANCIAL REPORTS
Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has appeared in a Japanese court to assert his innocence while demanding the reason for his prolonged detention.
Prosecutors in Tokyo charged Ghosn with falsifying financial reports in under-reporting his income.
Revered in the global auto industry for saving the Japanese automaker from near bankruptcy, Ghosn was to get his first chance to directly tell his side of the story at the courtroom hearing.
Appearing in a dark suit without a tie and wearing plastic slippers, the former chief looked thinner than he had before his arrest.
Ghosn entered the courtroom handcuffed with a rope around his waist. Two guards who led him in then uncuffed him and sat with him on a bench.
Presiding judge Yuichi Tada read out the charges and said Ghosn was being decused,” tained because he was considered a flight risk and there was the risk he may hide evidence.
“Your honour, I am innocent of the accusations against me,” Ghosn said.
“I am wrongfully ac- he added, reading from a prepared statement.
Prosecutors have charged Ghosn with falsifying financial reports in under-reporting his income.
Ghosn said the company’s and his own finances were harmed by the global financial crisis a decade ago.
He said he had an option to retire and use his retirement fund to restore his personal finances, harmed by volatile foreign currency exchange moves at the time.
But he decided to stay and restore Nissan, he said.
He has been charged with falsifying financial reports in under-reporting his pay by about 5 billion yen (£34m) over five years through 2015.
Reports have cited family members as saying Ghosn maintains his innocence, asserting the money, promised as income for later, was never decided on or paid.
According to a statement released before the hearing to some media, Ghosn said he had “acted honourably, legally and with the knowledge and approval of the appropriate executives inside the company with the sole purpose of supporting and strengthening Nissan”.
Greg Kelly, another Nissan executive and board member, was also arrested and charged with collaborating with Ghosn.
Kelly, who was released on bail on December 25, has said that he is innocent.
Ghosn’s detention now runs until January 11.