Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn Photo: REUTERS file
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U.S. says Ghosn's son paid $500,000 in cryptocurrency to man for escape from Japan

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By Nate Raymond

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They have to stop putting Ghosn reports in the crime section and move them into the entertainment section.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

when the Feds are on your tail then it's game over

Why? He's safe enough in Lebanon (and would be in France or Brazil), unless you perhaps expect the CIA to engage in the notorious practice of irregular rendition and spirit him away?

Very high conviction rate

You mean higher than the Japanese 99% conviction rate?

10 ( +15 / -5 )

@nishikat

What you're saying is it's okay to be jailed in Japan because it's only three years. It doesn't matter if you're guilty or not.

Ghosn's guilt is not yet established. There was no trial yet. However, if you're the same as the Minister Mori who said "Ghosn should prove his innocence" instead of the "prosecutors shoudl prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt", then I don't see a point arguing with you.

10 ( +19 / -9 )

I stand by Ghosn and those that helped him. Guilty or not his treatment at the hands of the Japanese court and prison systems was excessive, inexcusable and 180 percent hypocritical. Everyone of the guards, prosecutors, and unofficial string pullers should be in jail in Ghosn's place, and that goes for the Americans getting involved as well. GTH

9 ( +19 / -10 )

He's obviously stressed out when doing the peace sign in this pic as he no doubts talks about Japan.

8 ( +15 / -7 )

U.S. prosecutors said in a court filing.

Once the [US] Feds are on case it's GAME OVER. The nice thing about being incarcerated in Japan is the environment is very safe (albeit boring) and the sentence is very short. But when the Feds are on your tail then it's game over. Very high conviction rate and long long long sentences. Also, the prison environment is not quite as safe.

7 ( +18 / -11 )

US treats criminals pretty much the same as Japan

That's not accurate.

In US you are not in solitary confinement, you can see family and friends, your lawyer is helping you at all times, no 10 hours interrogation a day, no lights on 24/7, showers as needed, more than 10 min. of exercise a day.

US is a 5 stars hotel compared with Japan.

7 ( +20 / -13 )

@nishikat

You assume Ghosn is already guilty. Your point is invalid.

7 ( +21 / -14 )

No ONE would pay this kind of money if he felt he is being served justice. The fact that he felt he must leave is because he knew that it is almost impossible to have a fair trial.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

The Ghosn case is weirdly political as I have anticipated. The US and France have a soured relationship, lately.

The EU wants to escape the American dominance, and ultimately emerges as a new superpower. France and Germany have been doing massive M&A activities across the globe to bolster their influences. France nationalized many corporations and companies to create its own military-industrial complex. French economic activities now involved the exploitation of resources in its former colonies of Africa. Unlike the UK, France still kept its empire intact except for Algeria and Indochina. France also acts as an important player of European financial and banking system to deter the US-controlled United Kingdom. Meanwhile, Germany handles most of the EU economic activities, especially export and manufacturing. All of the global core technologies for industrial production are held by the US, Germany and Russia. Germany plays a vital role of ensuring the economic independence of the EU. Simply, France handles the military power, extraction of resources, finance and global M&A influence. Germany handles the economic output, industrial production and stability of the EU.

Like UK, Japan is also a loyal vassal to the US. Renault is weirdly a persistent auto corporation that stands the test of time and unexpectedly expands its influence globally more. France has been setting its eyes on Japan for a long time. The nigh-death of Nissan was a golden opportunity for France to dominate the auto industry along with Germany. When Ghosn restored Nissan back into power around 2010s, Renault's claws went deeper into Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan. Ghosn or without Ghosn, Renault will keep its stakes in both auto companies no matter what. With the limitless helps from French government, Renault will survive any economic recession, while Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors will be subjected to the free market force because PM Koizumi killed the ability of J-govt to act as a protectionist force when he privatized Japan Post. Renault will only have to wait, and it will acquire complete control over Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors like what foreigners did to Takeda Pharma.

Japan Inc is gradually losing its autonomy to foreigners as well as ability of projecting its power worldwide. The Oyajis of Japan used the dirty trick. They arrest Carlos Ghosn under the hope of pressuring the French to back down from the mergers. If Renault fully controlled Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, Toyota will not be relevant in the long term. The French control over Japanese auto industry will be massive and entrenched. It will pave a new movement for foreign corporations picking up Japanese assets like cherries. German auto corporations will be enthusiastic to pick off Toyota or any Japanese auto maker to kill the global competition. Let's not forget that the Chinese will be insanely happy to do M&A in Japan to mount political pressures against the LDP cronies. The Japanese government stepped into the fight against Renault and Carlos Ghosn to save the prestige of Japanese auto industry. This is where the US came in. Americans currently have a soured relations with France over many things. Japan exploits this soured relations to beg the US on their side. Apparently, the US sides with Japan from the shadow through speeding up the trials against the Taylors. It is unknown if the US will deport the Taylors to Japan. The US is making the ambition of Renault difficult at the moment for political reasons between France and the US.

Unlucky for the Japanese, this will be a short victory because Renault will inevitably acquire the control over the whole auto alliance in the long run. If France brokers a deal with the US on the fate of Japanese auto industry, the US will betray Japan in a heart beat as President Trump casually did to Shinzo Abe after Japan wasted 2.2 trillion USDs to satisfy the megalomaniac President. A deal would resemble of ensuring a foreign majority stake in both Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, while Ford or General Motors join the game to get half of the foreign stake. Even Tesla can happily join the game, which Elon Musk will be happy if he kicked a dangerous rival like Nissan out of EV market.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

He's obviously stressed out when doing the peace sign in this pic as he no doubts talks about Japan.

Ghosn is likely doing the famous Japanese peace sign to antagonize the Japanese prosecutors. He will never leave Lebanon, far too rich and politically connected. There is no extradition treaty.

Probably the prosecution should move on now, the gate was left open and the horse has long bolted.

6 ( +16 / -10 )

I don't know if Ghosn is guilty or innocent, but something doesn't sound right.

Ghosn was THE highest paid executive in Japan, 1.4 billion yen, more than Akio Toyoda, Osamu Suzuki and Takahiro Hachigo (Honda) combined.

The guy speaks basic Japanese and (afaik) he doesn't read or write any.

How's it possible that he was somehow able to fool a large team of accountants for so many years and risk it all just to be able to steal what amount to just a small portion of his yearly salary?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The Taylors should flee to Lebanon and live large with Ghosn. Marry local ladies and have a nice family retirement.

The Taylors are already Lebanese nationals through marriage and ancestry. I guess they chose to not continue living there, but return to the US.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

the US treats criminals pretty much the same as Japan

Are you sure? Trying to be constructive, Japan has no Miranda type system the way the US does, but in the end I'd rather face justice for a white collar crime in Japan (as well as many other types of crimes) Read below:

The former head of a Tokyo and Las Vegas investment firm was sentenced Thursday to 50 years in prison for bilking thousands of Japanese victims in what prosecutors called a $1.5 billion international Ponzi scheme that ranks among the largest-ever fraud cases in the U.S.

(news source about Junzo Suzuki)

Never heard of a 50-year sentence for anything like that in Japan. Yevgeniy Vasilievich Bayraktar only got 8 years for what he did. Imagine if Bayraktar did the same thing in Texas. Because of Japan's very light sentencing guidelines Bayraktar will see the light of day again, but what would have happened in Texas with Bayraktar for example?

Japan has no perfect system, but hating a country first then trying to fairly scrutinize its legal system later is not really constructive.

My guess is Ghosn would have gotten 3 years with early release, but in the US system looking at least 10 years - maybe more? Anyone else's guess? Takafumi Horie of LiveDoor served less than two years for his crimes as an important example.

4 ( +16 / -12 )

nishikatToday  06:58 pm JST

A single act of wire fraud can result in fines and up to 20 years in prison.

You really seem to like to bandy that phrase around. *

Do you even know what wire fraud is?*

"Wire fraud is a crime in which a person concocts a scheme to defraud or obtain money based on false representation or promises."

I fail to see how that fits this situation at all. No one was defrauded and there was no false representation.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Usually bail will depend on the severity of the crime, in most murder case the suspect will not be granted bail, in a misdemeanor drug case they will be granted bail for example, simply by seeing the amount of bail money set shows the thinking of the prosecouters , so if you are denied bail it is considered a serious case, if your bail money is set high its consider serious but not so much as a flight risk.

If you are not granted bail it means you are screwed. I know this because I have seen first hand the system and how it works.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Hope that the Ghosn, Greg Kelly and the Taylor's get free, as they committed no crime

I am pretty sure assisting a person in custody to escape the country is a crime in most countries if not all.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

nishikat why would he want to go to the usa? who would want to go to the usa anyway?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Hope that the Ghosn, Greg Kelly and the Taylor's get free, as they committed no crime.

Shame on Nissan and the Japanese injustice.

2 ( +20 / -18 )

justaskingToday  05:00 pm JST

What else is Ghosn being less than honest about?

His enemy is a whole country's injustice system.

Except that has never been proven because Ghosn tossed away his chance to prove that claim in front of the whole world. That he jumped bail instead exposes to what extent he himself believed his own claims.

Oh and we can all thank him for for establishing the image that gaijin can't be trusted, can't be held to their word and have no honor, setting a great precedent so that bail will never be granted to a gaijin in the future. Only a fool would cheer him on like some sort of hero.

2 ( +17 / -15 )

@nishikat

Don't forget the [US] Feds are against him now. 

The Feds aren’t interested in Ghosn. The Taylors were arrested because Japan issued an arrest warrant and the US has an extradition treaty with Japan. The US feels required to do due diligence and take them into custody and, ultimately, decide to extradite or not extradite.

They’re not interested in Ghosn’s son either. They just brought up the payment to add weight to their argument that the Taylors not be granted bail since they have sufficient funds to flee.

In the end I think it’s 50/50 on the Taylors’ extradition. As far as Ghosn and/or his son there is nothing there for them and the FBI could care less!

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Him, son And wife in court.

extride wife and son to japan under the treaty.

if they are innocent then they have no worries.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Watch the movie "Guilty By Suspicion" Robert D. Is Awesome.

It shows that any justice system can be corrupt , and how people can be locked up randomly and for NO crimes just to serve certain interests of higher ups.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Why do people assume he is giving the peace sign. Maybe he is using hand gestures replying to a question, like how much did you pay each person to help you leave Japan? 2 million dollars. Or how many hours were you in the box? 20. or What time did you land in Lebanon? 2am.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

bokuda,

I have learnt J culture has hidden rules and etiquette shrouded in silence. Woe betide those that fail to toe the line and stray from the straight and narrow thus ignoring a zone of conformity.

In my case Politics and influencing younger members family to vote.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I think many people, including many Japanese themselves, expected Ghosn would fight against Japanese judicial system and hoped his fight would expose the problems of the Japanese systems. But unexpectedly he side stepped, perhaps unlawfully, making the whole thing so messy that the main issue got lost in the process. We are very disappointed.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

I fail to see how that fits this situation at all. No one was defrauded and there was no false representation.

My mistake, but why are US authorities looking at CG's son? For their health?

If I were GC's Japan based lawyer I might have advised to confess, serve the three years, get out, enjoy the rest of the golden years as a 100% free man. Remember, GC is in danger of being apprehended not only in Japan but many others (also due to GC Houdini's actions his family seems to be in legal danger now on top of other people like Taylors). He will never be completely free now. In the US there is a pretty good chance he would have been charged with the similar crimes as Dennis Kozlowski who was given 8~25 years and Kozlowski did a good job with Tyco, in fact he did better than Ghosn with Nissan (There is indication that Ghosn was overhyped about what he did for Nissan unlike Kozlowski). And Kozlowski still went to prison. The big difference is you have the real right to remain silent in the US and authorities must leave you alone. Kozlowski was denied parole at first but still had the right to remain silent - still found guilty. I remember reading an article that Kozlowski's case was similar to Ghosn's and that's why I'm bringing it up.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Shame on you, Ghosn.

You did just made money in your time in Nissan and care for yourself being so greedy.

Please don't blame others.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

He's a genius. He escaped a corrupt "justice"-system were the rate of being found guilty is staggering 99%! Maybe the status of being the boss in 3 different companies got the better of him, but Nissan should still thank him for saving their ass back in the late 1990s. Mr. Fix It fixes everything, even when the odds are against him. Let him go, he saved your beloved Nissan brand.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japan, don't hire foreign crooks to lead your companies.

So you are saying Japan should stick with domestic crooks?? But if they did that Nissan would have imploded decades ago! How about just getting the best crook for the job? Seems to me the best crook at the time was Ghosn. And gee whiz, his original "crime" was so minor no one even seems to remember what it was anymore! Give us a break will ya?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@itsonlyrocknroll

I remember very well the Olympus case.

Michael Woodford did well, he almost got jailed for doing the right thing to do.

How about the MtGox scandal?

MtGox got hacked and the Japanese injustice put the gaijin, Mark Karpeles, in jail 2 years. Even he did nothing wrong. He was a victim of the hackers.

Confront the Japanese injustice is too risky, too unpredictable.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

justasking,

Silence communicates volumes, portrays a quiet expression of anxiety, beyond the tranquillity of calm. Its a maze, a misnomer.

Chinmoku, Sontaku and the Uses of Silence..........

https://japanology.org/2019/03/chinmoku-sontaku-and-the-uses-of-silence/

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What else is Ghosn being less than honest about?

His enemy is a whole country's injustice system. What do you expect? He'll just pray and hope everything went his way? That would work for meek culture-bound people, but not for Ghosn. He's a man of action, whether or not that action tramples on fake nationalistic ideologies.

0 ( +16 / -16 )

What you're saying is it's okay to be jailed in Japan because it's only three years.

I'd rather be in prison for only three years in compared to what I would serve in the US federal prison for the same crime (ten plus). Was Ghson a real hero for escaping Japan? To whom? His son (who might do MANY years in a US federal penitentiary)?

it's okay to be jailed

You need to talk to the judge about this.

 if you're the same as the Minister Mori

I'm not Minister Mori. Also, I'm not Attny General Barr who would be prosecuting Ghson's son for wire fraud. Take your choice? Who is bad? Mori and/or Barr? Because under Mori and sentence is a lot lighter. And under Barr Carlos Ghosn really screwed his son over.

On the other hand; Ghosn, Greg Kelly, and the Taylors haven't committed any crime yet.

WRONG

The Taylors, who have been in custody since their arrests in Massachusetts, are now on their third attempt to win bail, after separate judges rejected their previous pleas for release.

(news source)

0 ( +9 / -9 )

"I alone organized my departure. My family played no role."

-Carlos Ghosn Jan 2020

What else is Ghosn being less than honest about?

Any loving father would have done the same.

If Ghosn snitched on his children, that would surprise me.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

How's it possible that he was somehow able to fool a large team of accountants for so many years and risk it all just to be able to steal what amount to just a small portion of his yearly salary?

The same thing happened in Enron (and many other cases). It is an accountants job to audit and NOT uncover what Ghosn did or what Enron did. There is nothing new here.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The most crucial behavior Carlos Ghosn needed to demonstrate is subtlety, tact and most of all discretion. Carlos Ghosn jumped bail. Carlos Ghosn self-conceit and an unhealthy arrogant exaggerated pompous belief his own self-importance will be his ultimate undoing.

Let his PR and legal team handle the media.

Every time Ghosn opens his month and his lips start moving, not only does both feet enter his orifice, Ghosn insists on jamming family member lower limbs in the ever-expanding facial craven too.

The J legal system, moves slowly, however patience is virtue.

Carlos Ghosen will be pursued and harangued relentlessly, his family will pay a heavy price. Ghosen is selfish dislikeable man, inspite of ones opinion into the rights and wrongs of Japans justice system

0 ( +5 / -5 )

@nishikat

Take your choice? Who is bad? Mori and/or Barr?

See here, this is false dichotomy. You seem to be forgetting a third choice: FREEDOM because you didn't do anything illegal.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I never have liked the "Chicken Track" sign.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@itsonlyrocknroll

Strategic retreat was the best option, Ghosn is playing this injustice game at his best.

Ever wondered why no trials have started yet, after 3 years?

Ever wondered why Japan failed to send evidence to Lennon and US?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Bokuda,I do have sympathy for Carlos Ghosn.

The manner in which Carlos Ghosn is tricked into incarceration.

The Prosecutor's Office attempts to evade any recognizable semblance of jurisprudence, leaking selected evidence, ignoring standards of law or justice, is frankly reprehensible.

My huff puff, he (Carlos Ghosn) could have stood his ground.

Carlos Ghosn media profile, his reputation was at stake.

I know, from my armchair it is easy to lecture and scoff.

There was legal precedent.

The Olympus scandal.

Michael Woodford was hung out on a lamp post when CEO - international optical equipment manufacturer Olympus - exposing executives for accounting fraud, falsifying and concealing losses of $1.4bn.

Carlos Ghosn missed an opportunity to set the record straight, and having his day in court.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

hidden rules and etiquette shrouded in silence

Except when leaking information to the media by the prosecutors, which is illegal.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"I alone organized my departure. My family played no role."

-Carlos Ghosn Jan 2020

What else is Ghosn being less than honest about? He has demonstrated a clear preference for deception and dishonesty at every stage. Last week we saw the surveillance stills of Maya Ghosn meeting Peter Taylor at the Grand Hyatt and now we learn that Anthony Ghosn transferred the funds via Bitcoin. Not a good look.

-1 ( +17 / -18 )

Nishikat: A very accurate, insightful and succinct posting...

-1 ( +11 / -12 )

The rich always escape crimes it seems. Seems like the hate of the justice system clouded many of these so called Ghost sympathizers. Clash of culture i guess. For me i still want Japan and US to go after them for the rest of their lives. You don't challenge the rules of a nation and think you can get away from it by running.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

There is little doubt that Carlos Ghosn was ousted in a ruthless boardroom coup, with all the political undercurrents associated with a dispute over Nissan future structure and what politicians fear would lead to the inevitable merger of the companies in question.

Takedown: The monumental fall of auto titan Carlos Ghosn     

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/11/18/business/nissan-carlos-ghosn-scandal-anniversary/

In jumping bail Carlos Ghosn, apologies for my rudeness in the misspelling of Mr Ghosn surname, has little credibility left.

The betrayal of his skilled legal team, and the subsequent folly in the misplaced belief that briefing the media would remedy any sanctioned enforced backlash.

Strength of character, requires audacity, boldness, head up, to stand one’s ground against a justice system in dire need of reform.

However, Carlos Ghosn, chose cowardice over courage/valour.

Carlos bid to elude law enforcement, fleeing the Japans jurisdiction defines Ghosn as a fugitive from justice. Ghosn could have shown bravery in facing an uncertain future displaying qualities of spirit , the conduct of an honest professional. Ghosn didn't.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

His enemy is a whole country's injustice system.

Don't forget the [US] Feds are against him now. Almost every country's legal system is against Ghosn, and not just Japan. If he steps into US soil (or many other country's) then it's game over for Ghosn. Overall Ghosn would have been better off staying in Japan, getting a few years prison time (again, Japan has short incarcerations), then leaving and getting to keep his millions and millions in his golden years as a free man. That would have been a better bet because now the US is in on this and it is really game over for Ghosn and company. Should have just done the time in Japan Ghosn, you made this much worse for yourself. The US system is a lot less forgiving than the Japanese system. Now you are in real trouble in multiple countries and not just Japan.

-3 ( +19 / -22 )

Ghosn is likely doing the famous Japanese peace sign to antagonize the Japanese prosecutors.

Yeah couldn’t be him saying there were TWO men who helped him. Or referring to anything else for that matter. Must be the Japanese peace sign hey

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

He's a criminal fugitive. He can never face a Japanese court as he's one hundred percent guilty. His liberators have now ruined their own lives and their families for a criminal.

Japan, don't hire foreign crooks to lead your companies.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

You assume Ghosn is already guilty. Your point is invalid.

Does escaping Japan make him innocent? Why would the US send him back to Japan? I'm just estimating what would happen in the end even with all his lawyers.

You mean higher than the Japanese 99% conviction rate?

OK, 99% incarceration rate (in Japan) with no more than three years vs. 90%+ incarceration rate in the US with at least 10 years. Take your choice. Now Ghson's son is suspected of Federal (US) wire fraud and that sounds nasty.

A single act of wire fraud can result in fines and up to 20 years in prison.

(legal quote)

-6 ( +11 / -17 )

Ghosn's son did a big mistake:

He used CoinBase to transfer the Bitcoins. CoinBase is totally controlled by the police.

On the other hand; Ghosn, Greg Kelly, and the Taylors haven't committed any crime yet.

Hope that the dismissal of the charges come soon to everybody, and even Anthony Ghosn can get away of this mess.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

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