2024-11-15 15:38:00
The judicial noose is tightening on Rachida Dati. Confirmed on 21 September in her post in rue de Valois in Michel Barnier’s government, the Minister of Culture could be the subject of a trial. As learned The world at the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF), the latter requested, in its final indictment, pronounced on 13 November, the referral to the criminal court of the mayor (Les Républicains) of the 7th arrondissement of Paris for “concealment of abuse of power and abuse of trust”, “corruption and passive influence peddling by a person invested with an elective public mandate within an international organisation” (in this case the European Parliament) in the context of the Carlos Ghosn case, named after the former CEO of Renault-Nissan (2005-2019), targeted by two international arrest warrants by French justice and on the run in Lebanon.
It will now be up to the investigating judges to issue the order and decide on the referral of Dati to the criminal judge. This was stated by Mrs. Dati’s lawyers, Olivier Pardo and Olivier Baratelli“An indictment is just the prosecution’s view of a case. It doesn’t reflect reality. Although all the evidence of Rachida Dati’s innocence has been provided, this accusation goes against all the elements, testimonies, documents, documents provided. »
The PNF also called for Carlos Ghosn to be referred to criminal court for “abuse of power by director, breach of trust, corruption and active influence peddling”. Contacted by The worldhis lawyer, Jacqueline Laffont, was finalizing her position regarding this accusation.
The PNF requested the dismissal of the proceedings regarding the contracts concluded between the Dutch branch of the Renault-Nissan alliance, Renault-Nissan BV (RNBV), and the company AB Conseil, company of the lobbyist Alain Bauer, witness assisted since 2021.
“I was never informed of his intervention”
The investigating judges are focusing on the fees (900,000 euros excluding taxes for an alleged 900 hours of work) paid to Mrs. Dati as a lawyer, from 2010 to 2012, by the RNBV. At the time, Ms. Dati was a Member of the European Parliament, a substitute member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. However, lobbying activities are prohibited in the European Parliament.
The investigating magistrates doubt the reality of the minister’s actions. Except for some general notes, the judges found few traces of her alleged services: absence of annual activity reports from Ms. Dati, linked to Mr. Ghosn by a confidential compensation agreement signed in October 2009, relating to “the group’s international expansion policy, in particular in the countries of the Middle East and the Maghreb” ; absence of expense reports for any trips abroad; rare meetings between Ms. Dati and Mr. Ghosn; “lack of documentation” suitable to justify payments, absence of “detailed invoices” of Mrs. Dati e “written cancellation indicating the end of [s]a mission”according to an audit carried out in 2019 on the management of the RNBV.
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What are the allegations against Rachida Dati regarding her legal dealings with Renault-Nissan BV?
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our interview today. We’re honored to have with us legal expert Dr. Claire Laurent. We’re diving deep into the recent developments surrounding Rachida Dati, the Minister of Culture in France, and the looming legal challenges she faces. Dr. Laurent, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Claire Laurent: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time for politics and law in France, and I’m glad to provide some insights.
Time.news Editor: Let’s start with the basics. The National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) has moved to refer Dati to a criminal court. What are the major legal implications of this referral for her?
Dr. Claire Laurent: This is indeed significant. A referral to a criminal court signifies that the PNF has gathered what it considers sufficient evidence to suggest wrongdoing. Rachida Dati is facing serious accusations that include concealment of abuse of power, corruption, and influence peddling. If convicted, the legal ramifications could profoundly impact her political career and reputation.
Time.news Editor: The claims stem from her involvement in the Carlos Ghosn case during her time as a Member of the European Parliament. Can you elaborate on the connection between Ghosn and Dati in this context?
Dr. Claire Laurent: Certainly. Dati is accused of having accepted substantial fees from Renault-Nissan BV for legal services rendered while she was simultaneously working as an elected official. The core issue here revolves around potential conflicts of interest and whether her financial dealings were legitimate or crossed a legal line. The PNF’s focus on the fees paid to her—900,000 euros for 900 hours of work—raises red flags, especially given the timing of her positions in public office.
Time.news Editor: Her lawyers have publicly stated that the evidence of her innocence has been established. How effective do you think this defense will be in the face of the prosecution’s accusations?
Dr. Claire Laurent: It’s not uncommon in legal battles for each side to present diametrically opposed views of the same evidence. Defending against such serious allegations will require compelling counter-evidence from her legal team. They need to not only discredit the prosecutorial claims but also substantiate her innocence convincingly. The effectiveness of their defense will significantly depend on the presented evidence and the perception of the judges involved.
Time.news Editor: The article also mentions that Carlos Ghosn himself could face criminal charges. How does this broaden the implications of the ongoing investigations?
Dr. Claire Laurent: Ghosn’s situation complicates matters considerably. His own legal challenges relate directly to alleged financial misconduct during his time at Renault-Nissan. If prosecutors are able to connect Dati’s actions to Ghosn’s misconduct, it could amplify the consequences for her. This creates a scenario where her defense may not only focus on her actions but also how they intersect with Ghosn’s alleged crimes, potentially placing her under more scrutiny.
Time.news Editor: What are the broader implications of this case for political accountability in France?
Dr. Claire Laurent: This case shines a light on the need for accountability among elected officials. It underscores the importance of transparency in political finance and raises concerns about the integrity of those in power. As the legal proceedings unfold, they will likely influence public perception of political institutions in France, potentially leading to calls for reforms in oversight and regulatory frameworks regarding political finance.
Time.news Editor: Before we wrap up, what could be the potential outcomes of this situation for Dati and the political landscape in France?
Dr. Claire Laurent: The outcomes range from a dismissal of charges, if the evidence doesn’t stand up in court, to a potential conviction, which could catalyze a shake-up in her political career and perhaps even in the government she represents. A significant ruling against Dati could use a precedent to further scrutinize other politicians’ conduct, thereby reshaping France’s political landscape and public trust in governance.
Time.news Editor: Dr. Laurent, thank you for your insightful analysis. It’s a complex and evolving situation that we will continue to follow closely. Your expertise has added great value to our understanding of these issues.
Dr. Claire Laurent: Thank you for the opportunity. I look forward to discussing the developments as they unfold.