# Rachida Dati corruption trial

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rachida-dati-corruption-trial
> Updated: 2026-09-16T12:17:23.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 2.

In early September 2026, former French Minister of Justice Rachida Dati requested reintegration into the judiciary, specifically seeking an administrative role as a mission officer for the Delegation for European and International Affairs. This request preceded her scheduled corruption trial.

On September 16, 2026, the trial commenced in Paris involving Dati and former Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn. Dati faces charges of passive corruption and influence-peddling related to approximately 900,000 euros in fees paid by RNBV, the Dutch holding company for the Renault-Nissan alliance, between 2009 and 2013. Prosecutors contend these payments were disguised annual legal fees intended to mask illegal lobbying activities during her tenure as a Member of the European Parliament. Dati denies these allegations, with her defense characterizing the prosecution’s case as an “intellectual construct.”

Carlos Ghosn, who resides in Lebanon, is being prosecuted for active corruption and abuse of power. Although Ghosn requested to postpone the proceedings based on procedural arguments regarding his summons, the tribunal rejected the request. Ghosn expressed a willingness to testify via videoconference, and the court decided to proceed with the trial using that method. The proceedings are expected to continue through September 28, 2026.

## Claims

- Renault-Nissan paid approximately €900,000 in fees to Dati between 2009 and 2013. (corroborated by 14 sources)
- Rachida Dati denies the charges, maintaining she performed legitimate legal services. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- The 2009 consultancy agreement was used to disguise illegal lobbying activities. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The Paris criminal court rejected Carlos Ghosn's request to postpone the trial. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Carlos Ghosn expressed willingness to testify via videoconference from Lebanon. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The trial is scheduled to last six sessions, concluding on September 28. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Carlos Ghosn's defense argued his summons was received after the legal deadline. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Investigators claim the remuneration was disproportionate to the documented legal work. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-16: Rachida Dati on trial in Paris over Renault-Nissan corruption allegations

Former French minister Rachida Dati and ex-Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn are on trial in Paris over allegations of corruption and illegal lobbying involving €900,000 in payments.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rachida-dati-and-carlos-ghosn-face-trial-in-paris-over-corruption-allegations

### 2026-09-04: Rachida Dati requests reintegration into the judiciary ahead of corruption trial

Former French Justice Minister Rachida Dati has requested to rejoin the judiciary in an administrative role, just days before her trial for corruption and influence peddling involving Renault-Nissan.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rachida-dati-seeks-to-rejoin-the-french-judiciary

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Cite as: Rachida Dati corruption trial. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rachida-dati-corruption-trial