On Tuesday, July 22, investigating judges in Paris ordered the referral of Rachida Dati, the French Minister of Culture of Moroccan origin, to criminal court on charges of corruption and influence peddling.
Also implicated in this case, which has been under investigation since 2019, is former CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, Carlos Ghosn. The case holds significant political implications, as Dati is a prominent figure in François Bayrou’s government and a potential candidate for the Mayor of Paris.
According to French media reports, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 29 to set a date for the trial.
### Minister Accused of Receiving €900,000
Dati faces charges of receiving benefits from abuse of power, breach of trust, corruption, and negative influence peddling while serving as an elected official at an international organization, namely the European Parliament.
She is suspected of having received €900,000 between 2010 and 2012 for consulting services documented in a contractual agreement signed on October 28, 2009, with RNBV, a subsidiary of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, despite not having actually performed any work during her tenure as a lawyer and European deputy from 2009 to 2019.
The investigation is also looking into whether this agreement was used as a cover for lobbying activities within the European Parliament, which is prohibited for elected members.
Initially, Dati was classified as a “assisting witness,” a legal status less severe than criminal charges, before being formally charged in July 2021.
Dati, who also served as Minister of Justice under Nicolas Sarkozy, believes the allegations have expired legally and has filed several unsuccessful appeals to halt judicial proceedings. A judicial source stated, “Some appeals are still pending, but they do not prevent judges from ordering the conclusion of the investigation.”
Carlos Ghosn, meanwhile, has been the subject of an international arrest warrant since April 2023. He fled to Lebanon in a dramatic escape at the end of 2019, finding refuge from legal prosecution.
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