![Martin Winterkorn, Image: Volkswagen AG [CC BY 3.0]/Wikimedia Commons](https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/bd600fac14d6df63_org-610x407.jpg)
The first suspect identified by German prosecutors in their probe of the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal is none other than the company’s former CEO.
Martin Winterkorn is under investigation for his role in the “defeat device” deception after the country’s financial watchdog demanded it, according to the New York Times.
Winterkorn resigned last September, shortly after charges leveled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency blew the lid off the scandal. Since then, the former CEO has been dogged by questions of how much he knew about the deception, and when.
Prosecutors in the German city of Braunschweig clearly had questions of their own. In a statement, they said Winterkorn’s investigation stems from concerns that he waited too long to reveal that Volkswagen was being investigated by U.S. regulators.
The defeat device installed in diesel Volkswagens from 2009 onwards was well known in certain circles. The decision to use it came years after it was invented by Audi engineers, and investigators even found a PowerPoint presentation from 2006 that explained how the device worked.
After he removed himself from the picture, documents came to light that showed Winterkorn was sent a memo detailing the issue a year before the EPA made its move. The matter was also discussed at a board meeting that he attended in the summer of 2015, though the former CEO maintained that he wasn’t aware of the looming charges until shortly before the scandal became public.
Prosecutors said an person who was a member of the management board at the time is also under investigation. Recently, Volkswagen employees came forward to say a manager implicitly told them to destroy evidence of the deception in August 2015.
According to the prosecutors, the second person under investigation is not Hans Dieter Pötsch, the company’s former chief financial officer.
[Image: Volkswagen AG/Wikimedia Commons]
His defence will be the same as Schultz’s from Hogan’s Heroes — ” I know nothing, I saw nothing.. “
He even looks like Sargent Schultz
He dindu nuffin. What’s German for, ” Muh golden parachute please! “
sheesh, the spoliation of evidence alone is enough to get someone prison time.
Big fish haven’t been going to jail since 2008, I’m guessing Winterkorn skates too.
Since 2008? Try since 1808.
I am shocked, SHOCKED that prosecutors do not trust the thoroughness of VW’s internal investigation, which found that anybody that got paid a lot of money was entirely blameless.
I cannot imagine what made them feel so mistrustful… *sarcasm*
I have said from the start there is almost no way possible that Winterkorn was not at least aware.
This is the same guy who spent over 4 minutes inside a Hyundai i30 berating his entourage about the smooth operation of their tilt steering wheel, and pulling a tape measure out of his pocket – on the floor of a car show no less. This is the level of detail he engaged in.
So we are really supposed to believe that a micro manager, surrounded by a herd of yes men, wasn’t aware of what was going on with his diesel engines since 2009?
Ya….right…
Hes the one who told his engineers failure or additional cost is not an option… make this work or I will find someone who will. Im sure hes not sleeping well at this point in time.
I thought that was the Ferdinand Piech mantra.
Everything is Ok these days. Why are they even bothering the guy?
If he oversaw an unpopular bathroom policy he’d be in real trouble.
Where is Ferdinand Piech in all of this. He is very powerful and is known to hate Winterkorn. I recall that he left as a result of an unhappy coup that Winterkorn was able to execute with the board. He was known to be the ultimate control freak and has an even greater likelihood of knowing about the cheat. Is he in the background just pulling the chains?
I wonder if Piech is the other “member of the management board” under investigation?
So much backpfeifengesicht.
No strudel for you!
He should use the Hillary defense….”what difference does it make.” Seems to be working for her.
Think of it, that’s America’s next POTUS!
He can deny all culpability and knowledge, as he was not at home during the time the mail was delivered that Saturday. He also didn’t hear anything at the shareholder meeting because he was on the other side of the room, and his chair had a squeaky wheel.