Carlos Ghosn has gone from heading a powerful auto alliance to occupying a Tokyo cell on allegations of financial misconduct. Here are some key dates since his arrest.
– November 19: shock arrest –
Investigators from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office arrest Ghosn just after his private jet touches down at the Haneda Airport.
His right-hand man and close aide Greg Kelly is also arrested.
Accused of financial misconduct, including under-reporting Ghosn’s salary between 2010 and 2015, they are detained for investigation for a period that is extended twice to December 10.
They both deny wrongdoing.
AFP/File / Kazuhiro NOGI Nissan’s board voted unanimously to “discharge” Carlos Ghosn as chairman on November 22
Prosecutors raid Nissan’s headquarters in the city of Yokohama and Ghosn’s luxury Tokyo apartment.
That evening Nissan chief executive officer Hiroto Saikawa says the company had uncovered years of financial misconduct including under-reporting of income and inappropriate personal use of company assets.
“Too much authority was given to one person in terms of governance,” he tells reporters, referring to “a dark side of the Ghosn era”.
– November 20: Renault names interim boss –
After an emergency board meeting, French car giant Renault says Thierry Bollore will take over with Ghosn “temporarily incapacitated” following his arrest.
Bollore, previously the chief operating officer, is appointed deputy CEO with the “same powers” as Ghosn.
Renault launches an internal audit into Ghosn’s pay days later.
– November 22: fired by Nissan
Nissan’s board votes unanimously to “discharge” Ghosn as chairman.
In Paris, the French and Japanese finance ministers, Bruno Le Maire and Hiroshige Seko, reiterate “strong support” for maintaining the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.
– November 26: fired by Mitsubishi –
Mitsubishi Motors executives meeting in Tokyo vote unanimously to oust Ghosn as chairman.
– November 29: alliance affirms unity –
AFP/File / EMMANUEL DUNAND Automakers Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors reaffirmed their commitment to their alliance following Ghosn’s arrest
Automakers Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors reaffirm their commitment to their alliance in the first meeting of company leaders since Ghosn’s arrest.
“We remain fully committed to the Alliance,” the firms say in a joint statement.
Ghosn had been seen as the glue binding together the complex three-way structure which makes up the world’s top-selling auto company.
– December 10: charges and re-arrest –
Ghosn is formally charged on the initial allegations of under-reporting his salary between 2010 and 2015, with prosecutors also re-arresting him on allegations of further under-reporting in the last three years, according to local media.
The new allegations restart the clock on his detention, allowing prosecutors possibly to hold him for another 22 days.
AFP
