Japanese prosecutors announced on Friday that they are seeking approximately three years in prison for an American and his son who admitted to assisting former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn in fleeing Japan. Prosecutors in a Tokyo court requested a sentence of two years and ten months for former U.S. special forces member Michael Taylor and two years and six months for his son, Peter. One prosecutor stated that "Michael Taylor played a key role. His responsibility is very significant," explaining that Ghosn's "unprecedented" escape in December 2019 "constituted a bold crime." They added, "This case widely violated our country's judicial system."
The Taylors were arrested in May 2020 in the United States for helping to smuggle Ghosn out of Japan in a private jet hidden in musical instrument cases, traveling through Turkey to Lebanon, which does not extradite its citizens. They were extradited to Japan earlier this year and made their first court appearance last month, where they admitted to aiding Ghosn's escape. Earlier in the week, they stated that they now "regret" their role in the escape and apologized, bowing in court as reported by local media.
The former automotive mogul was out on bail awaiting trial for one of four charges of financial misconduct when he fled. He is currently residing in Lebanon. Ghosn’s escape in December 2019 was a significant embarrassment for Japanese authorities, and U.S. prosecutors described it as "one of the most brazen and organized escapes in modern history." Ghosn was interrogated by French investigators in Lebanon last month over suspicions of committing a series of financial offenses. His former aide at Nissan, Greg Kelly, is being tried in Tokyo for helping Ghosn conceal part of his income. A verdict in Kelly's case is expected later this year.
