Son of ex-Nissan boss Ghosn sent $500K in crypto via Coinbase to American who aided in escape, prosecutors say
Anthony Ghosn, the son of former Nissan chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn, sent about $500,000 in cryptocurrency to an American who helped the elder Ghosn escape from Japan, U.S. prosecutors said in a court filing.
Prosecutors said the son made the crypto payment via Coinbase from January to May of this year, several media outlets reported the news on Thursday. The payment was made to Peter Taylor, one of the two people accused of helping the elder Ghosn flee from Japan to his home country Lebanon in December.
The other accused person is Taylor’s father, Michael, a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran. The two are charged with helping Ghosn flee hidden inside a musical-equipment box on a private jet.
The Taylors got arrested in May at the request of Japanese authorities, who are seeking their extradition. They have argued they didn’t commit a crime in Japan and are seeking release on bail.
The former Nissan boss faces financial crime charges in Japan, including underreporting his compensation in Nissan’s financial statements and to the country’s government. Japanese prosecutors said Ghosn declared only half of about $88 million he received during 2011 and 2015. Ghosn is an internationally wanted fugitive. He denies wrongdoing. Lebanon reportedly has no extradition agreement with Japan.
