The conclusions of Volkswagen’s multiyear internal investigation concerning the diesel emissions scandal, aka Dieselgate, are in and the company is going after a handful of former executives for damages.
The investigation was launched in October 2015, just a month after the scandal broke, and the company today announced that it is claiming damages against former CEO Martin Winterkorn and former board member Rupert Stadler, among others.
In a statement, Volkswagen wrote:
The Supervisory Board has concluded that Prof. Winterkorn breached his duties of care as former Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG by failing, in the period from 27 July 2015 on, to comprehensively and promptly clarify the circumstances behind the use of unlawful software functions in 2.0l TDI diesel engines sold in the North American market between 2009 and 2015.
Winterkorn’s lawyer said that his client rejected the accusations, per Automotive News. He also stated that he will be in contact with VW’s management board.
Also Read: Ex-VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn Staring Down Organized Commercial Fraud Charge
Winterkorn was CEO of the Volkswagen Group from 2007 until he resigned days after the diesel emissions scandal broke in September 2015. He was indicted on charges of fraud and conspiracy in the US, but Germany does not extradite its citizens.
Similar accusations were brought against Stadler, who along with holding a position on the Volkswagen Group’s board, was the CEO of Audi.
“Rupert Stadler breached his duties of care by failing […] to ensure that 3.0l and 4.2l V-TDI diesel engines developed by AUDI and installed in EU vehicles of Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche were investigated with regard to unlawful software functions,” wrote the company.
Both Winterkorn and Stadler face criminal charges in Germany.
Volkswagen has also found that former members of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, Prof. Ulrich Hackenberg and Dr. Stefan Knirsch breached their duties, as did former member of the Board of Management of Porsche, Wolfgang Hatz.
