Former Nissan executive Greg Kelly denies charges he helped ex-boss Carlos Ghosn hide income as the American lawyer's trial opened in Tokyo almost two years after Japanese prosecutors arrested the pair.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kelly, who has been on bail in Japan since his release from jail in 2018, delivered his not guilty plea to the court on Tuesday without co-accused Ghosn, who fled to Lebanon in December following a dramatic escape from Japan.
A representative from Nissan, which was also indicted, told the judge the automaker did not contest the charges.
"I deny the allegations. I was not involved in a criminal conspiracy," said Kelly, according to a court pool report.
"Mr Ghosn was an extraordinary executive," added the former Nissan representative director, who is charged with helping Ghosn hide 9.3 billion yen ($A120,000,000) in compensation over eight years through deferred payments.
The trial could take about a year. If found guilty, Ghosn's former aide, who turned 64 on Tuesday, could face up to 10 years in prison and a 10 million yen fine.
Ghosn was smuggled out of Japan in a speaker case on a private jet as he awaited trial on charges of under-reporting earnings, breach of trust and misappropriation of company funds, all of which he denies.
Ghosn once saved Nissan from near bankruptcy and formed the alliance of Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi. The scandal surrounding him left the grouping in a deep crisis.
The French justice department is also investigation an alleged embezzlement by Ghosn at Renault.
About half a year after his spectacular escape, Japan called on the US authorities to extradite two people suspected of helping him.
The father and son were arrested in Massachusetts in May.
Australian Associated Press
