Former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn Hit by Fresh Charge of Aggravated Breach of Trust

Carlos Ghosn, the former Nissan chairman and CEO, has been indicted by Japan’s prosecutors on a fresh charge of aggravated breach of trust.

It is the fourth charge brought against Carlos Ghosn and relates to the alleged misuse of company funds.

Carlos Ghosn is in detention in Tokyo and his lawyers have applied for bail.

The 65-year-old, who denies any wrongdoing, has said the allegations are a result of a plot against him.

Carlos Ghosn was first arrested in November and spent 108 days in custody. While out on bail pending a trial, he was re-arrested in Tokyo on April 4.

Japanese prosecutors allege that Carlos Ghosn made a multi-million-dollar payment to a Nissan distributor in Oman, and that as much as $5million was funneled to an account controlled by him.

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Nissan has filed its own criminal complaint against Carlos Ghosn, accusing him of directing money from the company for his own personal enrichment.

Carlos Ghosn was first charged with under-reporting his pay package for the five years to 2015.

In January, a new charge claimed he understated his compensation for another three years. He was also indicted on a fresh, more serious charge of breach of trust.

The case has put a spotlight on fighting within Nissan alliance and on Japan’s legal system.

Carlos Ghosn was the architect of the alliance formed between Japan’s Nissan and French auto maker Renault, and brought Mitsubishi on board in 2016.

He is credited with turning around the fortunes of Nissan and Renault over several years.

Earlier this month Carlos Ghosn said the allegations were a plot and conspiracy against him, accusing Nissan executives of backstabbing.