Thu Sep 19 09:07:00 UTC 2024: ## Greg Kelly’s Nissan Scandal Trial Reaches Climax: Lawyer Demands “Justice” and Full Acquittal
**TOKYO, JAPAN -** The six-year legal saga of Greg Kelly, an American former Nissan executive entangled in the scandal surrounding ex-CEO Carlos Ghosn, reached a critical juncture today as his lawyer demanded a complete acquittal.
Kelly, who was arrested in 2018 on charges related to under-reporting Ghosn’s compensation, was found guilty of a single charge in 2022 and received a suspended sentence. He now faces the Tokyo High Court, where his defense attorney, Yoichi Kitamura, delivered a passionate plea for justice.
Kitamura argued that the lower court’s verdict was unreasonable, pointing out that it made no sense for Kelly to be involved in a conspiracy solely in the final year of the alleged scheme. He denounced the impact of the case, stating that Kelly’s reputation has been “tarnished on a global level.”
“I close my arguments by demanding the court carefully consider the evidence presented, come to judgment based on law and evidence to hand down the verdict of totally not guilty, restoring Kelly’s reputation and realizing justice,” Kitamura declared.
The presiding judge, Kazunori Karei, has scheduled a verdict for February 4th.
Kelly, who returned to his home in Tennessee during the appeal, maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, as did Ghosn. The latter, facing similar charges, fled to Lebanon while on bail in 2019 and remains out of reach of Japanese authorities.
The case has drawn attention to the cultural differences in executive compensation between Japan and the West. While Kelly contends he was simply trying to retain Ghosn for Nissan’s benefit, prosecutors maintain that Ghosn’s compensation was under-reported by millions of yen over a period of eight years. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for future corporate governance in Japan.
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