German Prosecutors Unfazed by Winterkorn Charges in U.S.
Prosecutors in Germany say their own investigation into former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn’s role in the company’s diesel emission scandal is unaffected by a U.S. indictment charging him with criminal conspiracy.
#legal
Prosecutors in Germany say their own investigation into former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn’s role in the company’s diesel emission scandal is unaffected by a U.S. indictment charging him with criminal conspiracy in the matter.
German prosecutors have been pursing their investigation since VW admitted in 2015 that it rigged 11 million diesels to evade emission standards. Winterkorn is the highest-ranking VW official to be charged anywhere in the scandal.
The U.S. indictment, revealed this week, claims Winterkorn knew about the cheating and actively condoned it.
Germany’s investigation is more significant, because it could actually lead to punishment. The U.S. charges are largely symbolic, because Winterkorn can’t be extradited from Germany to face them. He could be arrested if the leaves the country, however.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Tesla Sued Over Fatal Crash of Car in Autopilot Mode
Tesla Inc. has been sued by the family of a California man whose Tesla Model X crossover vehicle crashed into a highway barrier last year while the car was operating in semi-autonomous Autopilot mode.
-
Ex-FCA Official Pleads Guilty in Labor Training Fund Scandal
Alphons Iacobelli, a former head of labor relations for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV in the U.S., has pleaded guilty of stealing millions of dollars from an employee training fund.
-
Uber Fires Levandowski Over Waymo Lawsuit
Rider-share provider Uber Technologies Inc. has fired Anthony Levandowski, who headed its autonomous vehicle program until stepping aside in April.