understand everything about the twists and turns of a 900,000 euro scandal

Capital Video: Ghosn-Dati Affair: Understanding the Twists and Turns of a €900,000 Scandal

The moment of truth is approaching for Rachida Dati. This Tuesday, July 2, in the midst of a political storm for the presidential majority, The Paris Court of Appeal must rule on the statute of limitations of the facts accused of the Minister of Culture in the Carlos Ghosn affair, named after the former head of the Renault-Nissan alliance. Since 2021, the former lawyer has been indicted for “passive corruption”, “concealment of abuse of power” and “passive influence peddling”. Serious suspicions that she is trying to sweep aside by obtaining the cancellation of the procedure.

If she wins her case at the Court of Appeal, Rachida Dati would see her conquest of the Paris mayoralty in the 2026 municipal elections strengthened. Conversely, a defeat would expose him to the risk of an embarrassing trial. After a long investigation by the investigating judges into the case, the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) must deliver its final indictment in July. After which, the courts will decide whether or not to order a trial at the Paris Criminal Court.

When Rachida Dati was commissioned by the Renault-Nissan alliance

At the heart of the case: 900,000 euros in fees paid discreetly by Renault-Nissan to Rachida Dati between 2010 and 2012. At the time, the politician was a lawyer but also a member of the European Parliament. What missions did she carry out for the Franco-Japanese automobile alliance? This is the question that is itching investigators. Because they seem to have the greatest difficulty finding traces of the work of Nicolas Sarkozy’s former minister.

In front of the judges, the politician explained that she had helped with the international development of Renault-Nissan in the Middle East and the Maghreb. Carlos Ghosn himself defended this version of events before the investigators. But several testimonies revealed in June by Radio France undermine this portrait of Rachida Dati as a business diplomat. “I have absolutely never heard of Rachida Dati”assures a lawyer who worked on the installation of the Renault factory in Morocco.

What if, instead of working to promote Renault-Nissan abroad, Rachida Dati had instead served the alliance’s interests in the European Parliament? The minister is presumed innocent and denies any irregularity, but this is the questioning of the investigating judges. However, Such lobbying activities are prohibited for MEPs. The Rachida Dati case has also caused a stir in Brussels, and not only because of her missions for Renault-Nissan. According to information from Nouvel Obs, the European Parliament is said to have conducted a preliminary report on Rachida Dati’s positions in favor of fossil fuels, which would naturally have benefited the cause of large energy companies or countries such as Azerbaijan.

Duel between Rachida Dati and Jean-Dominique Senard

Traumatized by the Carlos Ghosn affair, its former CEO suspected of corruption and misuse of corporate assets, Renault has healed its wounds with shared governance: the Italian Luca de Meo as CEO, and Jean-Dominique Senard as chairman. Eager to make people forget the dark years of the Diamond, the two men have commented little on the legal saga. But This was before Rachida Dati directly attacked Jean-Dominique Senardaccusing him of concealing documents likely to exonerate him.

However, Renault has long assured that it had sent investigators the famous audit report ordered in 2019 to shed light on the Carlos Ghosn era. “Renault did not provide it in full to the courts, contenting itself with a redacted and watered-down version”grumbles Rachida Dati’s lawyer, Olivier Baratelli, quoted by BFM Business. Peaceful to a certain extent, Jean-Dominique Senard counter-attacked by filing a complaint against Rachida Dati for slanderous denunciation in April.

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Bruno Le Maire keeps a low profile in the Rachida Dati affair

Is Rachida Dati the hostage of the conflict between Jean-Dominique Senard and Carlos Ghosn, as the minister’s lawyers present? “fanciful tale of victimization”mocks Jean-Dominique Senard in his complaint revealed by Le Nouvel Obs. The president’s lawyers took the opportunity to rub salt in the wound regarding the lack of evidence of work. by Rachida Dati at Renault: “Neither Renault nor Mr Jean-Dominique Senard have in their possession any evidence capable of providing proof of his alleged services, and Ms Rachida Dati knows this perfectly well because she herself has been unable to provide them since 2019.”

In this surreal situation, the Minister of Culture finds herself in conflict with a company 15% owned by the French state and which is usually the pride of the government… Faced with this knife-edge duel, Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire has shown the greatest discretion.. “Jean-Dominique Senard logically wanted to know his position on Dati’s allegations, but he did not even have the elegance to respond to him”reports a senior Renault executive. In any case, the tenor of Macronie could soon be freed from his responsibilities: as the second round of the legislative elections approaches, the presidential majority could well break up, dragging the current government in its wake, and leaving Rachida Dati alone to face justice. Contacted by Capital, the lawyers of the Minister of Culture did not comment.