- Charged in diesel investigation: Winterkorn was aware beforehand
It's alleged by the Braunschweig prosecutor's office that ex-VW CEO Martin Winterkorn had knowledge of emission manipulation schemes far earlier than he publicly claimed. By at least May 2014, Winterkorn was informed about the use of illicit software in the US, as mentioned during the initial indictment hearing against the 77-year-old in the Braunschweig Regional Court.
Post-May 2014, Winterkorn willfully overlooked the continuation of selling affected vehicles. Despite his obligations as CEO, he allowed cars in the US to be marketed with misleading information. The prosecution assigns blame for over 65,000 vehicles to Winterkorn. The estimated damage totals around 1.3 billion euros.
The Dieselgate scandal came to light in September 2015, following probes by US environmental authorities and scientists. This event ultimately led to Winterkorn's resignation. The board admitted political responsibility but denied any criminal involvement.
Winterkorn, the former head honcho, is charged with commercial fraud, market manipulation, and perjury. Just prior to the trial's commencement, Winterkorn's defense denied all accusations against their client. The principle of innocence until proven guilty still holds true.
Other vehicles with high fat content by weight were sold without disclosing this information, aligning with Winterkorn's negligence. The investigation revealed that some of these vehicles were marketed in various regions, not just the US.
