Rachida Dati Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Financial Links Amid Carlos Ghosn Investigation
The French Minister of Culture reportedly received significant payments linked to GDF Suez through a law firm connected to a political ally.
Rachida Dati, the French Minister of Culture and mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris, is currently under increasing scrutiny as new allegations emerge regarding her financial ties linked to the ongoing legal investigation involving former Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.
As reported, Dati allegedly received a total of €299,000 from GDF Suez in 2010 and 2011 through the law firm Sarrau Thomas Couderc, now known as STC Partners.
This firm was co-founded by a close associate of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Documents reviewed by media sources reveal that Dati, while serving as a Member of the European Parliament, received payments amounting to €149,500 from GDF Suez, with records indicating these transactions were brokered by the law firm.
Notably, the firm's accounting log included a concerning entry that referenced "Dati honoraires GDF-Suez,” suggesting a specific financial link to GDF Suez.
In addition, it has been reported that Dati issued invoices totaling €125,000, excluding taxes, to the law firm in October 2010 and January 2011, which are believed to have been seized by investigators as part of the inquiries into the broader Ghosn case.
The allegations arise as Dati awaits a potential referral to a criminal court on charges of corruption and influence peddling related to the high-profile Ghosn investigation, which has captured significant public and media attention since Ghosn's arrest in 2018.
The circumstances surrounding these payments and the nature of Dati's connections to the law firm have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of her role in government, particularly in light of the ongoing legal proceedings against Ghosn.
Dati, who has held prominent political positions, including Minister of Justice, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
As reported, Dati allegedly received a total of €299,000 from GDF Suez in 2010 and 2011 through the law firm Sarrau Thomas Couderc, now known as STC Partners.
This firm was co-founded by a close associate of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Documents reviewed by media sources reveal that Dati, while serving as a Member of the European Parliament, received payments amounting to €149,500 from GDF Suez, with records indicating these transactions were brokered by the law firm.
Notably, the firm's accounting log included a concerning entry that referenced "Dati honoraires GDF-Suez,” suggesting a specific financial link to GDF Suez.
In addition, it has been reported that Dati issued invoices totaling €125,000, excluding taxes, to the law firm in October 2010 and January 2011, which are believed to have been seized by investigators as part of the inquiries into the broader Ghosn case.
The allegations arise as Dati awaits a potential referral to a criminal court on charges of corruption and influence peddling related to the high-profile Ghosn investigation, which has captured significant public and media attention since Ghosn's arrest in 2018.
The circumstances surrounding these payments and the nature of Dati's connections to the law firm have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of her role in government, particularly in light of the ongoing legal proceedings against Ghosn.
Dati, who has held prominent political positions, including Minister of Justice, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.