Prosecutors say former VW chief knew of test cheating sooner than he admits
German prosecutors have broadened their Volkswagen emissions-scandal investigation, and say a former CE knew about cheating earlier than he admits
VW’s admission in September 2015 that it used software to manipulate emissions wiped billions of euros off its market value, forced Martin Winterkorn’s resignation and sparked investigations and lawsuits across the world. VW says its executive board did not learn of the software violations until late August 2015 and reported the cheating to US authorities in early September that year. Last week, Winterkorn denied recurring reports that he had known earlier about the cheating. Prosecutors in Braunschweig near Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg base have widened their investigation into the scandal. They said on Friday they searched 28 homes and offices this week and increased the number of suspects to 37 from 21, including Winterkorn. "Sufficient indications have resulted from the investigation, particularly the questioning of witnesses and suspects as well as the analysis of seized data, that the accused (Winterkorn) may have known about the manipulating software and its effects sooner than he ...
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