Ghosn Used Alliance Funds for Son's School Donation: L'Express

(Bloomberg) -- Carlos Ghosn, the embattled former head of Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA, used funds from their alliance to donate money to the American School in Paris, attended by his son, Anthony, between 2005 and 2012, L'Express Magazine reported, citing unidentified sources.

• Renault-Nissan Alliance is listed as a donor by the school for the construction of its new campus, the magazine said, adding that the “Ghosn family” also features on the list although it's not clear if the executive made any personal contribution
• While the amount donated by the alliance is not known, the school has a “Ghosn room,” the magazine reported
• The donation was made after Ghosn's son had left the school, an unidentified spokeswoman for the family is cited as saying to the magazine. The person is also cited as saying that it is not unusual for international companies to make such donations.
• The Renault-Nissan alliance had a budget of 900,000 euros in 2018 for “donations and sponsors,” L'Express reported, adding that the school donation doesn't feature in the Tokyo charges on which Ghosn was imprisoned for 108 days
• Renault was also a sponsor for the Paris “Debutantes' Ball” in the years when his daughters were on the list of the 25 young high-society women participating in the event, with Ghosn listed in the acknowledgements, the magazine reported
• The event was “good for Renault” in terms of media coverage and the decision to sponsor it was “validated internally” at the company, the Ghosn spokeswoman was cited by the magazine as saying
• A spokeswoman for the Ghosn family said Renault had a sponsorship relationship with the debutantes ball that helped the carmakers' image. It also has a policy to support the schools of its expatriate staff, she said.
• Spokesmen for Renault and the Renault-Nissan alliance didn't return requests for comment.
• NOTE: Free on Bail, Carlos Ghosn Girds for the Legal Fight of His Life

To contact the reporters on this story: Vidya Root in Paris at vroot@bloomberg.net;Ania Nussbaum in Paris at anussbaum5@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Frank Connelly at fconnelly@bloomberg.net

©2019 Bloomberg L.P.