Japanese prosecutors are likely to build a new criminal case against ousted Nissan Motor Chairman Carlos Ghosn for understating his earnings by 3 billion yen ($27.0 million) during three years from fiscal 2015, the Asahi newspaper reported on Friday.
Ghosn and former Nissan Representative Director Greg Kelly are presently being investigated in a case of alleged conspiracy to understate Ghosn’s earnings by about half the 10 billion yen he earned at Nissan during five years from fiscal 2010.
Combined, Ghosn has understated his remuneration at Nissan by about 8 billion yen in the eight years through the fiscal year that completed in March, the paper stated, without mentioning sources.
It did not state whether a new case would also concern Kelly.
Ghosn and Kelly were arrested and removed from their positions this week over accusations of financial misconduct.
A new case would make Ghosn liable for rearrest, Asahi noted.
With these two officials still in custody, neither man has been able to defend himself publicly against the accusations.
Motonari Otsuru, a former public prosecutor who local media stated has been hired as Ghosn’s lawyer, was has not discussed the issue yet.
The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office could not be reached for comment on Friday due to public holiday in the country. Nissan refused to comment.
