Ousted Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn reportedly flees house arrest in Tokyo for Lebanon
CNBC - Published Mon, Dec 30 2019 4:24 PM EST - Updated Mon, Dec 30 2019 7:55 PM EST

Key Points

• Carlos Ghosn, Nissan’s ousted chairman who was awaiting trial on criminal charges in Japan, flew to Lebanon on Monday evening, several outlets reported.
• Whether he has struck a deal with prosecutors or fled is unknown.
• Ghosn has denied charges of financial misconduct and misuse of corporate resources while running Nissan.

Carlos Ghosn, Nissan’s ousted chairman who was awaiting trial on criminal charges in Japan, flew into Lebanon on Monday evening, France’s Les Echos newspaper reported. The newspaper cited its own unnamed source and a report in Lebanese newspaper L’Orient-Le Jour. There was no immediate confirmation from official sources. Whether Ghosn has struck a deal with prosecutors or fled is unknown. The Financial Times also reported that Ghosn was in Lebanon, according to a source close to his family and “a professional associate.”

Full story here: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/30/ousted- ... s-say.html

Apparently escaped in an instrument case. Landed in Lebanon in a private jet. Story reads like an international intrigue novel....

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/niss ... 46695.html

For what it's worth, his comments on the unfairness [not to say vindictiveness] of the Japanese prosecutorial system is valid. Pull you in on a minor charge and as you are released, up the ante to progressively to more serious charges, then keep repeating until you run out of money or willing lawyers.

There is basically no trial by jury in Japan, only a panel of politically appointed judges.

If he fled to Lebanon in a Nissan, he'll get caught as soon as its CVT fails.

Apparently his wife helped him escape to Turkey under a false passport, then under his own name, a private plane to Lebanon [hence a valid entry, no extradition].

This is going to make one helluva Netflix movie.

Apparently Japan just issued a warrant for his wife.

...which will be a waste of time, since Lebanon can simply ignore it.

Might crimp their overseas travel plans, but I don't see Japan having much in their bag 'o tricks at this point. Ooops.

Ghosn’s wife is a US Citizen and the US has extradition agreements with Japan. Not sure how that works with Lebanon or her presence there. Ghost doesn’t have citizenship in any countries with extradition agreements with Japan, though.

I don't know what's worse... jail in Japan, or just being in Lebanon for forever.

Considering he was born in Lebanon, with many family/friends still there, millions of dollars for security/bribery/living comfortably, no extradition treaty there, and he literally hid in a box to get there already. Lebanon forever seems like a no brainer. I think a bigger question is what he does he do if his wife gets apprehended by Japan. Will Goon er Ghosn step up to the plate or will he feed her to the wolves?

Ex-Nissan Chairman Ghosn: I'm ready to cooperate with authorities
Former auto exec willing to face trial in Brazil or France, but not Japan

A day after his bombshell comments on fleeing from house arrest in Japan, former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn told FOX Business’ Maria Bartiromo that he's ready to cooperate with the Lebanese government to clear himself.

Ghosn said that he underwent two interrogations Thursday morning in the Middle Eastern country, which has barred him from traveling and asked that he hand in his French passport. The one-time executive believes Lebanese authorities have been asked by Japan to try to clarify specific issues and trusts that he will have “freedom of speech.”

Lebanon received an Interpol-issued wanted notice, a non-binding request to law enforcement agencies that they locate and provisionally arrest a fugitive, on Ghosn last week.

Full story here.

I been following this as well.
Interesting tale..

The only justice will happen when he is driving about Lebanon in a Nissan product and the Takata airbag deploys, sending shrapnel about the cabin, giving him a face lift that plastic surgery cannot fix.

This is going to make a great movie some day.

Ghosn is a crook, no doubt.
But the Japanese justice system seems a bit broken, and I seem to recall many examples in the past where Loyalty to The Brand and Honor trump justice. The same problem that always plagues Japanese business: The Old Blood is all that matters, and everything else comes second.

Seeing the crook come face to face with the corporate mafia is very entertaining.

while I don't think Ghosn should be executed for his crimes, jail time seems appropriate inflictin...I mean... introducing the Murano Cross Cabriolet.

Report: Carlos Ghosn with Hollywood agent

A report in a US media outlet says former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn is working with a legendary Hollywood agent to explore film and TV projects about Ghosn's life.

The report was released by Bloomberg on Monday.

Ghosn, who had been indicted in Japan over financial misconduct, skipped bail and escaped to Lebanon late last year.

Michael Ovitz is the founder of an agency for Hollywood stars, and a former president of Walt Disney Company.

A spokesperson for Ghosn reportedly said Ovitz would assist the former auto tycoon with any projects and evaluate proposals.

The report said Ghosn's story has the potential to become a compelling film or drama, at a time when major video distribution companies are looking for fresh content.

Additional story here.

French prosecutors open inquiry into Ghosn

French prosecutors say they have opened a judicial inquiry into the alleged misuse of corporate funds at automaker Renault while Carlos Ghosn was in charge of its alliance with Japan's Nissan Motor.

Attention is now focused on whether the prosecutors will be able to gain assistance from Lebanese authorities. Ghosn jumped bail in Japan and fled to Lebanon in late December.

Full story here: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200220_08/