Ghosn probe 'examines use of four private jets'
Investigators are looking into Nissan and Renault's joint finances following the arrest in Japan of former boss Carlos Ghosn.
Tuesday 2 April 2019 10:05, UK
Investigators examining the joint finances of Renault and Nissan after the arrest of Carlos Ghosn are looking into the car companies' use of four private jets, according to reports.
Details of the investigation, following Ghosn's arrest in Japan on charges of financial misconduct which he denies, were presented to Renault directors this week, sources have told Reuters.
According to the Financial Times, the number of private jets at the disposal of the global car-making alliance was three more than previously known.
The jets were said to have been financed by Nissan-Renault's Dutch holding company.
Ghosn, who led the alliance before being ousted following his arrest, was known for his hectic travel schedule.
In an article on Nissan's website in 2017, he wrote: "It is not uncommon for me to leave Tokyo on a Friday night, attend meetings in another country over the weekend, then fly to Paris for a full week of work.
"It helps that I can sleep well on an airplane.
"This kind of lifestyle can take a toll on you, both physically and socially."
Ghosn is awaiting trial in Japan on charges that he failed to report $82m in Nissan pay he had arranged to receive after retirement.
He also faces allegations of transferring personal investment losses to Nissan and steering $14.7m in company funds to a Saudi businessman.
Renault and Nissan have launched an independent audit of their joint finances.
Ghosn has said the criminal charges against him are a plot to stop him from pursuing greater integration across the alliance he led.
Responding to claims about the use of private jets, sources close to Mr Ghosn's family told the Financial Times: "This is another baseless attack from executives who knew all along that Nissan owned four planes and [who] flew on them personally."