According to The Japan Times, on 4 February 2025, the Tokyo High Court reaffirmed a suspended six-month prison sentence for Greg Kelly, Carlos Ghosn’s former aide at Nissan. The Court dismissed appeals from both Kelly and prosecutors, maintaining that Kelly was guilty only of under-reporting Ghosn’s compensation in fiscal year 2017, all other charges from 2010–2016 were acquitted.
Kelly, now 69 and back in the U.S., had originally been arrested in 2018 alongside Ghosn. Prosecutors sought a two-year sentence, accusing him of under-reporting about ¥9.1 billion (~$60 million). The 2022 conviction led to a prison term suspended for three years.
Despite his absence from Japan, the ruling renews attention on legal challenges stemming from Ghosn’s tumultuous tenure at Nissan. Ghosn left Japan in 2019, citing fears of an unfair trial, and now remains in Lebanon protected by an Interpol red notice.
Greg Kelly has signaled that he will appeal the decision to the Japanese Supreme Court, maintaining his innocence and arguing his actions were aligned with acting in Nissan’s interests not concealing wrongdoing.
This case highlights ongoing tensions within the Renault–Nissan alliance, and underscores the complex legal aftermath of Ghosn’s departure. It also points to continuing business instability: Nissan is reportedly in “panic mode,” now exploring a possible tie-up with Honda.
4 February 2025