Nissan's former chairman Carlos Ghosn under-reported his income by a total of $71m - much more than initially suspected - Japanese media said this week.
The Brazil-born tycoon is now reportedly set to face a new charge from prosecutors - after he was sacked as Nissan chairman on Thursday to top a spectacular fall from grace for the once-revered boss which has stunned the business world.
Prosecutors arrested Ghosn on Monday, accusing him and fellow executive Greg Kelly of understating the former chairman's income by around ¥5bn ($44m) between June 2011 and June 2015.
But Ghosn is now suspected of under-reporting his earnings by another ¥3bn for the next three fiscal years, the Asahi Shimbun and the Nikkei business daily reported.
Prosecutors are now planing to rearrest him on charges of understating his income by a total of ¥8bn ($71m) since June 2011, the Asahi said.
Immediate confirmation of the reports was not available.
Under Japanese law, suspects in jail can face additional arrest warrants, which can lead to heavier charges.
Ghosn is also suspected of failing to report a profit of ¥4bn through stock appreciation rights - a method for firms to give management a bonus on strong earnings, the Nikkei said.
Separately, the Kyodo news agency has reported that Nissan had paid $100,000 a year to Ghosn's sister since 2002 though she had no record of doing advisory work for the group.
Deputy chief prosecutor Shin Kukimoto said the Ghosn case is "one of the most serious types of crime" under Japan's Financial Instruments Act, and Ghosn could face a 10-year prison sentence.
His ouster is an astonishing turnaround for a titan of the auto sector who revived the Japanese brand and forged an alliance with France's Renault as well as domestic rival Mitsubishi Motors.
The French and Japanese finance ministers reiterated their "strong support" for the alliance at a meeting in Paris on Thursday.
In a joint statement, Bruno Le Maire and Hiroshige Seko said they both wanted "to maintain this winning co-operation".
Asked about the fate of the alliance, Seko told reporters in Paris: "It is important for people concerned to deal with it after they agree and fully understand."
Renault's board has so far stood by Ghosn - naming his deputy Thierry Bollore to handle day-to-day business.
Bollore on Thursday pledged "to stay focused on our mission to preserve the interests of Renault and the sustainability of the alliance".
The board of Mitsubishi Motors was reportedly set to meet on Monday to discuss Ghosn's future.
AFP..