Did he think he could get away with it?
Based on a claimed whistle-blower report, Nissan Motor Co has been conducting an internal investigation over the past several months regarding misconduct by Chairman Carlos Ghosn and Representative Director Greg Kelly, Nissan said today.
This statement came as Carlos Ghosn was about to be arrested for under-reporting compensation in Tokyo Stock Exchange filings to avoid paying higher taxes. Japanese authorities, we think, can hold him 22 days without charge or bail.
Ghosn’s position as chief executive of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance is now under fire. Ghosn retired from the highest job at Nissan last year, but remained as head of the world’s largest automotive alliance, saying he planned on staying until 2020. Ghosn was paid ¥227 million in cash and stock options by Mitsubishi Motors in 2017.
Ghosn – considered one of the top global automaker executives was widely heralded for saving Nissan from bankruptcy starting during the last century in 1999 when Renault took a big, risky position in the ailing company – is charged with tax fraud.
Philippe Lagayette, as lead independent director of Renault, in liaison with Board Committee Chairs Marie-Annick Darmaillac and Patrick Thomas, “acknowledged the contents of Nissan’s press release.”
“Pending provision of precise information from Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Renault, the above directors wish to express their dedication to the defense of Renault’s interest in the Alliance. The Board of Directors of Renault will be convened very shortly,” they said.
“It’s time to accelerate the shift to zero-emission mobility by working together with all parties concerned,” said Ghosn in 1999. He omitted zero taxes.
Nissan securities filings show that Mr. Ghosn was paid 735 million yen, ~$6.5 million at current exchange rates, in cash in 2017, -33% from ¥1.1 billion Ghosn was paid in 2016.
“The investigation showed that over many years both Ghosn and Kelly have been reporting compensation amounts in the Tokyo Stock Exchange securities report that were less than the actual amount, in order to reduce the disclosed amount of Carlos Ghosn’s compensation,” Nissan said in a terse and embarrassing face-destroying statement.
Ghosn also allegedly had “numerous other significant acts of misconduct” that have been uncovered, such as personal use of company assets. Kelly’s “deep involvement” was also confirmed on these. (Renault-Nissan, Transdev To Study Autonomous Vehicles and Nissan Leaf Debuts in U.S. at $32,780)
“As the misconduct uncovered through our internal investigation constitutes clear violations of the duty of care as directors, Nissan’s Chief Executive Officer Hiroto Saikawa will propose to the Nissan Board of Directors to promptly remove Ghosn from his positions as Chairman and Representative Director. Saikawa will also propose the removal of Greg Kelly from his position as Representative Director.”
Nissan has been providing information to the Japanese Public Prosecutors Office and has been fully cooperating with their investigation and will continue to do so, it said.
“Nissan deeply apologizes for causing great concern to our shareholders and stakeholders. We will continue our work to identify our governance and compliance issues, and to take appropriate measures.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn Arrested and About to be Sacked by Board for Financial Misconduct. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance Position Threatened.
Did he think he could get away with it?
Based on a claimed whistle-blower report, Nissan Motor Co has been conducting an internal investigation over the past several months regarding misconduct by Chairman Carlos Ghosn and Representative Director Greg Kelly, Nissan said today.
This statement came as Carlos Ghosn was about to be arrested for under-reporting compensation in Tokyo Stock Exchange filings to avoid paying higher taxes. Japanese authorities, we think, can hold him 22 days without charge or bail.
Ghosn’s position as chief executive of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance is now under fire. Ghosn retired from the highest job at Nissan last year, but remained as head of the world’s largest automotive alliance, saying he planned on staying until 2020. Ghosn was paid ¥227 million in cash and stock options by Mitsubishi Motors in 2017.
Ghosn – considered one of the top global automaker executives was widely heralded for saving Nissan from bankruptcy starting during the last century in 1999 when Renault took a big, risky position in the ailing company – is charged with tax fraud.
Philippe Lagayette, as lead independent director of Renault, in liaison with Board Committee Chairs Marie-Annick Darmaillac and Patrick Thomas, “acknowledged the contents of Nissan’s press release.”
“Pending provision of precise information from Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Renault, the above directors wish to express their dedication to the defense of Renault’s interest in the Alliance. The Board of Directors of Renault will be convened very shortly,” they said.
“It’s time to accelerate the shift to zero-emission mobility by working together with all parties concerned,” said Ghosn in 1999. He omitted zero taxes.
Nissan securities filings show that Mr. Ghosn was paid 735 million yen, ~$6.5 million at current exchange rates, in cash in 2017, -33% from ¥1.1 billion Ghosn was paid in 2016.
“The investigation showed that over many years both Ghosn and Kelly have been reporting compensation amounts in the Tokyo Stock Exchange securities report that were less than the actual amount, in order to reduce the disclosed amount of Carlos Ghosn’s compensation,” Nissan said in a terse and embarrassing face-destroying statement.
Ghosn also allegedly had “numerous other significant acts of misconduct” that have been uncovered, such as personal use of company assets. Kelly’s “deep involvement” was also confirmed on these. (Renault-Nissan, Transdev To Study Autonomous Vehicles and Nissan Leaf Debuts in U.S. at $32,780)
“As the misconduct uncovered through our internal investigation constitutes clear violations of the duty of care as directors, Nissan’s Chief Executive Officer Hiroto Saikawa will propose to the Nissan Board of Directors to promptly remove Ghosn from his positions as Chairman and Representative Director. Saikawa will also propose the removal of Greg Kelly from his position as Representative Director.”
Nissan has been providing information to the Japanese Public Prosecutors Office and has been fully cooperating with their investigation and will continue to do so, it said.
“Nissan deeply apologizes for causing great concern to our shareholders and stakeholders. We will continue our work to identify our governance and compliance issues, and to take appropriate measures.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.