The Tokyo High Court recently affirmed a suspended six-month sentence for a former Nissan executive, Greg Kelly, who was a close associate of the company’s former CEO, Carlos Ghosn. Kelly, an American, was charged with aiding Ghosn in concealing income. Despite appeals from both the prosecutors and Kelly himself, the court upheld the 2022 verdict. Kelly was apprehended in Japan in 2018 alongside Ghosn, who later escaped the country in a music equipment box while Kelly faced the legal consequences.
Kelly, now 68 years old, did not attend the recent court hearings as he returned to the United States after the initial verdict. His lawyer mentioned plans to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, expressing confusion over the rejection of their previous appeal. Prosecutors had initially sought a two-year prison term for Kelly, accusing him of facilitating Ghosn in under-reporting his income significantly.
Ghosn’s dramatic escape to Lebanon, where he currently resides, has added complexity to the legal proceedings. Meanwhile, French authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for Ghosn on charges related to financial misconduct within a Renault-Nissan subsidiary. Despite the ongoing legal battles and Ghosn’s absence, the automotive industry continues to navigate significant changes, including merger talks between Honda and Nissan.