SEC investigates Nissan over Carlos Ghosn compensation

The former chairman is accused of failing to report more than $80 million in compensation.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has launched an investigation into Nissan's disclosures of compensation to former chairman Carlos Ghosn.

The executive was arrested in Japan late last year, accused of failing to properly report more than $80 million in compensation across the span of eight years.

A Bloomberg report now claims the SEC is investigating if Nissan violated any US laws in its reporting of Ghosn's compensation. The inquiry is also said to explore the automaker's internal checks that should have been in place t prevent any wrongdoing.

The Japanese enforcement actions have been shrouded in controversy amid rumors that Nissan's initial internal investigation may have been designed from the start to oust Ghosn before he had a chance to pursue a personal goal of merging Nissan and Renault. Nissan represents a much larger share of alliance profits, but Renault retains a controlling stake in the Japanese automaker.