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US father, son plead guilty to helping ex-Nissan chief Ghosn flee Japan

Monday, 14 June 2021 10:13 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 14 June 2021 10:16 AM ]

Carlos Ghosn, the former Nissan and Renault chief executive, gestures as he speaks during a news conference at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, in Lebanon on September 29, 2020. (Photo by Reuters)

An American father and son have pleaded guilty in a Tokyo court to charges that they illegally assisted former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn to flee Japan in December 2019.

US Army Special Forces veteran Michael Taylor, 60, and his son Peter, 28, were extradited to Japan over claims they smuggled Ghosn out of the country hidden in a music equipment box aboard a private jet as he awaited trial.

Prosecutors have accused Taylors of receiving $1.3 million for their services in helping Ghosn escape through western Japan's Kansai airport.

According to the Asahi Shimbun daily, the pair spent most of the money on preparations for the escape, including the costs of chartering a jet, claiming that they were not paid for their help.

The father and son have admitted to their role in orchestrating Ghosn's escape and raised no objection to the charges laid out by prosecutors in an indictment.

Chief judge Hideo Nirei, one of three judges presiding over their first court appearance, asked the pair Monday whether there was any mistake in the charges submitted to the court by the Tokyo Prosecutors' office.

“No, your honor,” the older Taylor replied. “No,” his son also concurred.

They are being held at the same jail in Tokyo where Ghosn was detained, facing up to three years in prison if found guilty of the charges.

Ghosn is currently an international fugitive living in Lebanon, which has no extradition treaty with Japan.

He was out on bail while awaiting trial on four allegations of financial wrongdoing, including improper financial interactions with Renault-Nissan's distributor in Oman, payments by a Dutch subsidiary to consultants and lavish parties organized at the Palace of Versailles, all of which he has denied.

Others connected with the case have also faced legal action, including his former Nissan aide, Greg Kelly, who is currently on trial in Tokyo for allegedly underreporting the tycoon's income.

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