Charges filed in U.S. don't change German probe of former VW chief
FRANKFURT, Germany — German prosecutors are saying their probe of former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn is ongoing and won't be affected by the charges brought against him in the United States.
“We have taken account of the U.S. indictment, but it will not change our investigatory approach,” said Klaus Ziehe, spokesman for the prosecutors in the town of Braunschweig.
The German prosecutors are investigating Winterkorn and 48 others in connection with the emissions scandal. U.S. authorities charged Winterkorn on Thursday with fra ud and conspiracy in connect with use of illegal software used to cheat on U.S. diesel emissions tests.
Winterkorn's U.S. attorney, Steven Molo, said that “we are reviewing the allegations and will take appropriate actions.”
Winterkorn resigned days after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accused Volkswagen of evading emissions standards. Cars were equipped with software that turned on emissions controls when the cars were on test stands, and reduced the controls during normal driving. Winterkorn said at the time he was not aware of any wrongdoing on his part.
The company pleaded guilty to criminal charges and has paid over $20 billion in fines and civil settlements. Two lower-ranking executives have been sentenced to prison in the U.S. Five others have been charged but are not in custody.
It's unclear whether Winterkorn or any of the other defendants will ever face proceedings in the United States. Germany's constitution in general forbids extradition of its citizens except to another EU member state or to an international court. If Winterkorn travels outside Germany he could face arrest and possible extradition to the United States.