Former Volkswagen C.E.O. Charged With Fraud | Kangs Serious Fraud Defence Solicitors
The Volkswagen (‘Volkswagen’) emissions scandal developed further last week when the former Chief Executive, Martin Winterkorn, was charged in the USA with conspiracy to defraud.
This charge follows the revelations that Volkswagen had deliberately designed diesel vehicles to cheat in emission tests thereby circumventing national pollution standards.
The full indictment can be read here.
The History | Kangs Serious Fraud Defence Team
According to the indictment, Martin Winterkorn was informed during the early part of 2014 that regulators in the USA were questioning why Volkswagen diesel vehicles had produced low emissions during laboratory tests, yet showed higher emissions on the road.
It had been suggested that the vehicles in question had been deliberately fitted with illegal software known as a “defeat device” which could detect when emissions tests were being carried out.
In 2017 Volkswagen pleaded guilty to charges that included conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act. Volkswagen sought to blame low ranking managers for the wrongdoing and maintained that no members of its senior management team had been involved in any illicit behaviour.
Shareholders accuse high level managers of breaching their duty to inform them of the risks Volkswagen was taking and are seeking $10 billion in damages.
Volkswagen has already paid $26 billion in fines and civil damages.
How Can We Help? | Kangs National Serious Fraud Defence Solicitors
Kangs Fraud Team has a wealth of experience in representing directors and others accused of financial misconduct.
We offer discreet, proactive and pragmatic representation throughout investigations of this nature and we are regularly instructed in investigations brought by the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Agency, the City of London Police and Scotland Yard’s Fraud Squad.
We have a team of solicitors experienced in defending allegations of serious fraud.
Our team is led by Hamraj Kang who is recognised as a leading expert in the field. He is one of only two solicitors nationally to be ranked as a ‘star individual’ for three consecutive years in the legal directory Chambers & Partners. Other members of the team are ranked in the Legal 500 and also ranked in Chambers & Partners.
If you require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact any of the following:
Hamraj Kang
hkang@kangssolicitors.co.uk
07976 258171 | 020 7936 6396 | 0121 449 9888
John Veale
jveale@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 020 7936 6396 | 07989 521210
Tim Thompson
tthompson@kangssolicitors.co.uk
020 7936 6396 | 0121 449 9888
