Former Nissan executive Kelly pleads not guilty to helping Ghosn

Former Nissan executive Greg Kelly on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to charges he helped former Nissan’s boss Carlos Ghosn under-report income as his trial started in Tokyo, Japan.

“I deny the allegations. I was not involved in a criminal conspiracy,” Kelly said in the court, according to a court pool report.

A spokesperson from Nissan, which is also standing trial, said the automaker did not contest the charges.

Kelly’s lawyers countered that firms only have to report payments they have made. The defence team also stated that Kelly was only partially involved in the talks about Ghosn’s compensation.

Ghosn fled from Japan to Lebanon last year as he awaited trial on charges of misusing Nissan’s funds. Ghosn rejects all charges against himself.