Head of Nissan’s Ghosn Inquiry Quits Suddenly

Christina Murray, who for five months led Nissan Motor Co.’s internal investigation of alleged financial wrongdoing by former Chairman Carlos Ghosn, has resigned unexpectedly, sources tell Automotive News.

Murray was promoted in April to vice president of internal audit and compliance. Her reason for quitting was not explained.

The company’s internal investigators are expected to present their findings to Nissan’s board today. Last week the investigators said they discovered that a compensation plan linked to the company’s stock performance had improperly boosted payouts to Ghosn and current CEO Hiroto Saikawa, among others.

Saikawa, an ardent supporter of the Ghosn probe, acknowledges that he improperly received 47 million yen ($440,000) in excess compensation. But he says he didn’t ask for the payments, was unaware of how they were processed and will return excess funds.

Critics want Saikawa removed for failing to detect Ghosn’s alleged financial misconduct. The CEO told reporters yesterday that he will take responsibility for “the Ghosn scandals” and will step down as soon as a successor is named.