Indignant Carlos Ghosn again under arrest

This morning former Renault and Alliance CEO Carlos Ghosn has again been taken into custody. The probable reasons are new allegations of doubtful financial transactions. Ghosn has reacted by saying his new arrest is “revolting and arbitrary”.

Early in the morning three investigators of the prosecution have paid a visit to Mr Ghosn in his Tokyo apartment. According to the private TV news chain Nippon TV (which was filming live), Mr Ghosn has left with them.

Why?

In a declaration to the French news agency AFP, Ghosn fulminated. “Why arrest me again when I’m in no way obstructing the court’s procedure”, he declared. “I’m innocent of all the unjust accusations against me.”

Among the new accusations is the allegation that Mr Ghosn has used the fund reserve for the CEO of Nissan.  A transfer of more than 30 million dollar to a Nissan dealer in Oman has been made. This money is thought to be used for personal expenses (a yacht) and to support companies of Mr Ghosn’s son in the US.

Press conference announced

Yesterday, just before his arrest Mr Ghosn has produced his first Twitter tweet. “I’m ready to tell the truth on what is happening, press conference on the 11th of April”, he tweeted.

No golden parachute

Meanwhile, internal audits have also been done at Renault and RNBV, the joint headquarter seat for the Alliance based in the Netherlands. Expenses of several millions of euros are questioned there.

In the light of these audits Renault has decided not to give Mr Ghosn his ‘golden parachute’ for leaving the company as a member of the executive committee.

The board of Renault has asked the general direction to get in touch again with the Nissan management to discuss things. The French carmaker is still considering going to court about the new allegations.

It’s was a contrasting attitude to the beginning of the Ghosn case, where it showed itself angry about the Nissan revelations and their continuous fact feed of the media, defending the ‘being innocent until proven otherwise’ theory.

Board changes

Meanwhile, new changes of the board at Renault are being announced. As from the following general assembly Mr Ghosn won’t be member of the board anymore.

Cherie Blair, British lawyer and spouse of ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair, will also be replaced. Her successor is Annette Winkler, former CEO of Smart and former Daimler board member.

Carlos Ghosn, de nouveau en garde à vue, dénonce une “arrestation révoltante”