It is a counter-attack by a person against whom there are “serious or consistent indications” that he has committed an offense, i.e. definition of indictment. The Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, indicted for corruption and influence peddling in the investigation into contracts entered into by a subsidiary of Renault-Nissan when Carlos Ghosn was the CEO, is taking legal action against the chairman of the board of administration of Renault, Jean-Dominique Senard.
She blames him, according to an act cited by Le Nouvel Obsof having “concealed and caused to be concealed from French justice essential documents likely to [l’] exonerate”. Jean-Dominique Senard has been summoned for “obstruction of justice and omission to testify in favor of an innocent person”, according to the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office, which confirmed the information to AFP.
Convenience employment
Justice suspects Rachida Dati of having received 900,000 euros between 2010 and 2012 from a subsidiary of Renault-Nissan. At that time, the new Minister of Culture was a lawyer and MEP. The investigations sought to determine whether her fees corresponded to remuneration linked to her role as a lawyer or whether it was a job of convenience that could have masked lobbying in the European Parliament, which is prohibited for MEPs.
But the Minister of Culture claims to have been paid for her activity as a lawyer, for legal advice. His advice points to “a clear desire for secrecy, intended to artificially overwhelm Madame Rachida Dati in order to reach Carlos Ghosn”.
Cooperation
“Mr. Senard is calm about this new action, which is unfounded neither in law nor in fact,” reacted to AFP Me Antonin Levy, Jean-Dominique Senard’s lawyer. “Since taking office, the company has cooperated fully with the judicial authorities and responded to all requests issued by them and aimed at obtaining the documents allowing the judge to form an opinion on the activities of Madame Dati,” said added the council.
Contacted by AFP, Rachida Dati’s lawyer did not react immediately.