Greg Kelly"s trial in Japan set for February verdict

Greg Kelly, a former Nissan executive vice president, has been embroiled in a six-year criminal case linked to the scandal involving Carlos Ghosn, Nissan's former CEO. Arrested in 2018, Kelly faced charges for under-reporting Ghosn's compensation, which prosecutors claim amounted to 9 billion yen ($63 million) over eight years. In 2022, he was cleared of most charges, receiving a suspended sentence for one count, which allowed him to avoid prison time. During the recent court proceedings, Kelly's defense lawyer, Yoichi Kitamura, argued for a complete acquittal, labeling the previous verdict as unreasonable. He emphasized that it was illogical for Kelly to be implicated in a conspiracy for only one year of the alleged misconduct. Kitamura called for the court to restore Kelly's reputation and deliver a verdict of total innocence. The presiding judge, Kazunori Karei, has promised a verdict on February 4. Kelly, who has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, was not present in court as he returned to his home in Tennessee during the appeal process. Meanwhile, Ghosn, who also claims innocence, fled to Lebanon in 2019 while out on bail and is unlikely to face trial due to Japan's lack of an extradition agreement with Lebanon. The case highlights the complexities of executive compensation in Japan, where top executives typically earn less than their Western counterparts. The trial has drawn international attention, raising questions about corporate governance and legal practices in Japan.