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Rachida Dati begins corruption trial in Paris over Renault-Nissan payments
The corruption trial of former French minister Rachida Dati opened in Paris on September 16, 2026. Dati faces charges of passive corruption and influence-peddling related to €900,000 in fees received from a Dutch subsidiary of the Renault-Nissan alliance between 2009 and 2013.
Prosecutors allege the payments were intended to disguise illegal lobbying activities conducted while Dati was a Member of the European Parliament. Dati denies the allegations, asserting that the funds were legitimate remuneration for legal services provided as an attorney. Her defense has characterized the prosecution's case as an “intellectual construct.”
Also on trial is former Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, who is being prosecuted for active corruption and abuse of power. Ghosn, currently residing in Lebanon, was not present in court. The tribunal rejected his request to postpone the proceedings, citing procedural arguments regarding his summons. Despite his absence, the court decided to proceed with the trial, which is expected to continue through September 28.
Entities
Carlos Ghosn · European Parliament · Paris · Paris criminal court · Rachida Dati · Renault-Nissan
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The trial is scheduled to last six sessions, concluding on September 28. abidjan4all.info · www.euronews.com
- [● 11 SOURCES] Renault-Nissan paid approximately €900,000 in fees to Dati between 2009 and 2013. abidjan4all.info · dailydigest.ie · nachrichten.fr · 1001infos.net · www.lalsace.fr · +6 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The 2009 consultancy agreement was used to disguise illegal lobbying activities. dailydigest.ie · sunuker.com · www.euronews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Paris criminal court rejected Carlos Ghosn's request to postpone the trial. abidjan4all.info · nachrichten.fr · www.lalsace.fr · www.notretemps.com · www.finanznachrichten.de
- [● 10 SOURCES] Rachida Dati denies the charges, maintaining she performed legitimate legal services. abidjan4all.info · dailydigest.ie · nachrichten.fr · 1001infos.net · www.lalsace.fr · +5 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Investigators claim the remuneration was disproportionate to the documented legal work. dailydigest.ie · www.euronews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Carlos Ghosn expressed willingness to testify via videoconference from Lebanon. abidjan4all.info · sunuker.com · www.euronews.com · www.notretemps.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Carlos Ghosn's defense argued his summons was received after the legal deadline. 1001infos.net · www.lalsace.fr · www.notretemps.com