Prosecutors want to question VW supervisory board chairman Ferdinand Piëch in the case against former works council chief Klaus Volkert and former personnel manager, Klaus-Joachim Gebauer, who are accused of inciting breach of trust by being involved in a sex and bribery scandal at the company.
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According to dpa-AFX, prosecutors want to find out if Piëch knew about a slush fund used by VW directors to fund prostitutes and trips in exchange for peaceful labour relations at the company.
Piëch has denied that he had any knowledge of the cost centre code ‘1860’, that was apparently used.
Lawyers want to call three further witnesses who were close to Piëch during the late 1990s/early 2000s when the irregularities occurred. Those due to be questioned include the current Audi chief, Rupert Stadler.
Former head of personnel, Peter Hartz, has already received a fine and suspended prison sentence for his role in the affair. Hartz acknowledged having approved EUR2.6m in payments for prostitutes and trips for Klaus Volkert.
Piëch is to be called as a witness in Volkert and Gebauer’s trial on January 9th.
