Four former VW employees are brought to trial in diesel gate proceedings

Braunschweig, Germany — Four former employees of automaker Volkswagen were tried on Thursday over a diesel gate scandal in which illegal software was used to cheat emissions tests.

The trial, held in the city of Braunschweig near Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg headquarters, began without former CEO Martin Wintercorn. This trial will be held at a later date.

According to Braunschweig’s prosecutor, the four employees accused of fraud were aware of the illegal software, but could not raise the issue and instead tried to maximize the profits of the automaker, resulting in , Won a performance bonus.

Prosecutors Andre Schmidt, Elke Hoppenworth, and Daniel Facca were charged on September 16, 2021 in Braunschweig, Germany, with illegal acts regarding their role in the operation of automakers’ diesel exhaust tests. Attending the start of a trial against four former Volkswagen executives. / Pool via Reuters)

According to judicial sources, the defendant claims he did not know about the operation or informed his boss about the operation.

Volkswagen admitted fraudulent US diesel engine testing in 2015, causing the greatest crisis in history.

So far, the world’s second-largest automaker has spent more than € 32 billion ($ 37.7 billion) on vehicle repairs, fines and statutory costs.

($ 1 = 0.8499 euros)