Former minister faces corruption trial

Rachida Dati, a prominent French politician who served as culture and justice minister, went on trial in Paris on Wednesday over corruption charges linked to the Renault-Nissan carmaking group.

The €900,000 payment question

Dati accepted €900,000 in lawyer's fees from a Renault-Nissan subsidiary while serving as a member of the European parliament. Prosecutors say the money was actually payment for illegal lobbying, which is banned for MEPs.

Defense claims legitimate legal work

Dati's legal team says she worked exclusively as a lawyer for the Renault-Nissan subsidiary and denies all corruption allegations. Prosecutors argue there is no evidence she actually performed legal work.

“Unfounded allegations of influence peddling in the European parliament stem from an artificial intellectual construct devised by the prosecution.”

Carlos Ghosn tried in absentia

Dati is on trial alongside Carlos Ghosn, the disgraced former Renault-Nissan chief, who will be tried in absentia. Ghosn fled Japan in 2019 to escape financial misconduct charges and is now in Lebanon.

Disguised contract from 2009

Prosecutors say a legal services contract signed in 2009 between Dati and Ghosn, paying €300,000 annually, was used to disguise lobbying work. Investigators found the contract during a search of Renault's headquarters in 2019.

Potential prison time and penalties

If convicted, Dati faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of €450,000, and a five-year ban from holding public office. She also faces separate investigations over undeclared payments and luxury goods.