TOKYO — A Nissan Motor Co. manager, testifying under immunity in the criminal trial of former human resources executive Greg Kelly, admitted last week that he explored different ways of paying the automaker's former CEO Carlos Ghosn without disclosing the remuneration.
But he did not say whether any of his ideas of concealment were implemented.
The question is central in Kelly's trial in Tokyo. Kelly is accused of improperly compensating his boss, the former high-flying industry leader whose high salary and benefits were becoming an embarrassing issue in Japanese and European circles as he simultaneously ran Nissan, Renault and later Mitsubishi.
Ghosn was arrested and being prosecuted in Tokyo over the alleged financial improprieties, by concealing some $80 million in deferred payments. He fled Japan late last year for Beirut, beyond the reach of Japanese law.
Kelly, similarly arrested and charged, is on trial to answer for the allegations agains…