'The Great Escape of the Century' - American Billionaire Who Helped Former Nissan Chairman Ghosn Escape Sentenced to Prison

▲Carlos Ghosn, former Nissan Chairman [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Michael Taylor (60), a former U.S. Army Special Forces member who helped Carlos Ghosn, former chairman of Nissan Motor, escape overseas, was sentenced to two years in prison (prosecutors sought two years and ten months) by the Tokyo District Court.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on the 19th, his son Peter Taylor (28), who also assisted Ghosn's escape, was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison (prosecutors sought two years and six months).

According to the report, Judge Hideo Nirei of the Tokyo District Court stated, "They completed an unprecedented overseas escape with meticulous preparation," adding, "Michael played a leading role in both the preparation and execution stages, while Peter's role was smaller but indispensable."

He further pointed out that their motive was primarily financial gain, and the degree of infringement on the criminal justice system was extremely serious. Judge Nirei said, "Considering the gravity of the outcome and the maliciousness of the crime, the two defendants cannot avoid imprisonment."

Meanwhile, Michael Taylor, a former U.S. Army Special Forces member, and his son Peter Taylor helped former chairman Ghosn escape by placing him in a large musical instrument case and using a private jet to fly him out of Osaka Kansai International Airport to Lebanon. It is reported that Ghosn transferred approximately 140 million yen (about 1.425 billion KRW) in cash and cryptocurrency to them before and after the escape.

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