Yoichi Kitamura, the defense lawyer for Greg Kelly, who is on trial in Japan on charges related to former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn’s compensation, speaks to The Associated Press at his Tokyo office Friday, March 5, 2021. The lawyer for former Nissan Motor Co.'s executive Kelly, said his client was merely trying to prevent Ghosn from going to a rival automaker.
“He talks like a lawyer, and he thinks like a lawyer,” Kitamura said. “He wouldn’t do anything wrong or illegal.”Kelly and Ghosn were arrested in late 2018 and are the only Nissan officials who were charged. Ghosn jumped bail in December 2019, and fled to Lebanon, which has no extradition treaty with Japan. He also says he is innocent.
Prosecutors have alleged that Kelly was involved in trying to help Ghosn hide compensation. Kitamura says Kelly was not aware of earlier planning for Ghosn’s pay that might have violated the law. Kitamura has a record of winning acquittals in high-profile cases. Even in Japan, where more than 99% of criminal trials result in convictions, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, he noted.He said he was confident Kelly will be acquitted. If not, he would appeal.A verdict in Kelly’s trial isn’t expected for months. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison, as the charges involve under-reporting compensation by 9 billion yen over several years.
It's business, init? 😀
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