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After a six-year investigation, Rachida Dati and Carlos Ghosn will face trial. On Tuesday, July 22, two investigating judges ordered them to stand trial on charges of corruption, influence peddling, and breach of trust, according to Le Monde.
At the time in question, Rachida Dati was serving as a Member of the European Parliament. Between 2010 and 2012, she received €900,000 in fees from Renault-Nissan, routed through its Dutch subsidiary. Dati maintains the payments were for legal services she provided to the group. However, investigators are questioning the legitimacy of the work she claims to have performed.
France’s financial prosecutor has described the payments as «disproportionate and undue», and considers the contract «a legal front used to conceal the corrupt arrangement».
Carlos Ghosn, then CEO of Renault-Nissan, has defended the decision to hire Dati, calling her «an asset for Renault in brand promotion and business diplomacy efforts in Morocco, Algeria, Turkey, and Iran». He claims it was Dati who «offered her services» to the company.
The former French justice minister denies any wrongdoing. She told investigators her work was legitimate: «I had a legal contract with Renault-Nissan for work in non-EU countries. My mission was in no way affected by debates in the European Parliament», she said, adding, «A lawyer cannot be a lobbyist».
However, the judges found a clear conflict of interest, noting that Dati «never informed» the European Parliament of her private consultancy, despite speaking publicly on automotive-related topics during her term.
Despite being referred for trial, Dati remains in her government post. A source close to President Emmanuel Macron stated, «A referral is not a conviction, she continues her duties».
The first court hearing is scheduled for late September. Dati, who is also running for mayor of Paris, faces the possibility of a disqualification sentence.
Carlos Ghosn, meanwhile, remains in Lebanon. Subject to international arrest warrants, he told Le Monde: «If I were allowed to leave Lebanese territory, any country would arrest me and hand me over to Japanese authorities». He added, «I’m the man they want to bring down».
