The French National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) has requested a 4-year prison sentence, including 2 years of immediate imprisonment, for former French minister Rachida Dati. She is being tried in Paris for corruption and influence peddling within the European Parliament between 2009 and 2013 on behalf of Renault-Nissan. Dati, of Moroccan origin, is accused of having entered into a corrupt agreement with former Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn.
The PNF has also requested a 5-year ban on holding public office and practicing law, with immediate execution of these penalties. If the tribunal follows these recommendations, Dati would immediately lose her position as mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris and would be barred from returning to the judiciary. The prosecutor's office described Dati's actions as a "betrayal of virtue and exemplarity," criticizing her for prioritizing personal gain over her public duties.
The charges against Dati relate to her alleged involvement with Carlos Ghosn, who is currently in hiding in Lebanon and being tried in absentia. The prosecution accuses Ghosn of corruption and influence peddling, for which they are seeking a 4-year prison sentence and maintaining the arrest warrant. According to the PNF, Dati and Ghosn entered into an agreement where she would lobby on behalf of Renault-Nissan in exchange for €900,000.
During the six-day trial, the prosecution highlighted the lack of evidence supporting Dati's claims of having worked as a lawyer for Renault-Nissan. They pointed out that there were no records, emails, or notes documenting her work for the company. The PNF argues that Dati created a consulting firm just days after leaving the government, with the intention of capitalizing on her access to decision-makers.
The prosecution also questioned the legitimacy of a €300,000 annual retainer paid to Dati by Ghosn, describing it as a "contractual disguise" for a corrupt agreement. They argue that Dati's actions undermined the public's trust in elected officials and damaged the democratic process. The PNF emphasized that the case reflects the failure of democratic institutions to protect themselves from the actions of elected officials.
Rachida Dati has maintained throughout the proceedings that she did work as a lawyer for Renault-Nissan, but the prosecution disputes this claim. They argue that her actions were aimed at exploiting her public position for personal gain, rather than serving the public interest. The tribunal is expected to deliver its verdict in the coming months.
The case has significant implications for Dati's future, as a conviction would result in her immediate loss of public office and bar her from practicing law. The prosecution's recommendations also highlight the severity of the charges against her and Ghosn, who are accused of undermining the integrity of democratic institutions.
Key points
- The French prosecutor's office seeks a 4-year prison sentence for Rachida Dati over corruption and influence peddling charges.
- Dati is accused of having entered into a corrupt agreement with former Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn.
- A conviction would result in Dati's immediate loss of public office and bar her from practicing law.
