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Trial opens in Paris for Rachida Dati and Carlos Ghosn over corruption and influence peddling allegations
The former French MEP is facing questions over 900,000 euros paid by Renault-Nissan between 2010 and 2012. Carlos Ghosn is also being tried in the case, but he has asked for a postponement and remains in Lebanon.
Rachida Dati appeared in court in Paris on Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. in a case centered on passive corruption and passive influence peddling, tied to 900,000 euros in legal fees paid to her by Renault-Nissan between 2010 and 2012, while she was a member of the European Parliament.
As reported by France Info, Carlos Ghosn, Renault’s chief executive at the time, is also being tried as the alleged bribe-giver on charges including active corruption and active influence peddling. Ghosn, who has been in Lebanon since December 2019, asked for the proceedings to be delayed, with that issue set to be decided at the opening of the hearing.
According to the outlet, investigating judges concluded that the money came from the Dutch company Renault-Nissan BV, with 300,000 euros paid each year in 2010, 2011 and 2012 without sufficient proof of actual work performed. Prosecutors argue that the expected return was lobbying activity on Renault-Nissan’s behalf at the European Parliament between October 2009 and February 2013.
Dati denies the accusations and says, according to France Info, that her work for Renault was real and unrelated to her parliamentary mandate. Her defense also argues that many assignments were given orally, which would explain the limited written record.
The trial is scheduled to run over six afternoon sessions through September 28. Both Dati and Ghosn face prison sentences of up to 10 years. In Dati’s case, France Info said the maximum fine mentioned is 450,000 euros, and she could also face a ban from holding office.
Sources
About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.
