Long Ghosn: Two Americans plead guilty to helping former Nissan boss flee Japan
An American father and son have pleaded guilty to helping former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn flee Japan by hiding him in a box on a private jet in 2019.
US Army Special Forces veteran Michael Taylor and his son Peter replied no when a Tokyo judge asked them if there was anything wrong with the charges submitted by prosecutors. It was their first court appearance in the case.
The pair were extradited from the US to Japan in March and are being held at the same Tokyo jail where Ghosn was detained. They could face up to three years in prison.
Ghosn became one of the world’s most sought-after international fugitives when he fled to Beirut from Tokyo, where he was facing charges of financial misconduct.
According to prosecutors, the audacious plot saw the car executive smuggled in large boxes disguised as musical equipment aboard a private jet.
The Taylors have been accused of helping Ghosn evade punishment and escape to Lebanon — which has no extradition treaty with Japan — receiving $1.3m for their services.
Lawyers for the American pair battled for months to prevent their extradition to Japan, arguing they could not be prosecuted for helping someone to “bail jump” and warning they could face relentless interrogations and torture.
Suspects in Japan are interrogated without their lawyers present and are often denied bail before trial, while the conviction rate in the country is 99 per cent.
Prior to his escape Ghosn was awaiting trial on charges that he understated his compensation in Nissan’s financial statements by around $85m over a decade and embezzled money from the company.
Ghosn, who denies the accusations, remains a fugitive in Lebanon, where he recently launched an executive training programme.
Greg Kelly, a former Nissan executive charged with helping Ghosn hide his earnings, is also standing trial in Tokyo. He denies the charges.