German police officials raided Volkswagen's offices in Wolfsburg on Thursday to confiscate documents and databases that could reveal which employees were responsible for rigging the diesel emission tests.
“Today, in connection with the so-called emissions scandal, raids were carried out at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg and other locations”, the German prosecutors said. “The raids aimed to secure documents and data carriers that, in view of possible offences, can provide information about the exact conduct of company employees and their identities in the manipulation of exhaust emissions of diesel vehicles.”
Moreover, private apartments were also raided in Wolfsburg and other cities, prosecutors told AFP, as police authorities seek to secure documents that could help to identify those who were behind the cheat code.
A spokeswoman for the prosecutors, Julia Meyer, told AFP that “several people are targeted in the investigation.” Sites raided “include private apartments, and it is important to guarantee the privacy of these people”, she said.
The company confirmed that it had “handed over” documents to prosecutors, and that it would provide the necessary support to the investigation.
"This will help to bring about a swift and complete resolution of the case, which is very much in Volkswagen's interest," the company said in a statement.
The raid came as Michael Horn, the US boss of VW, prepares to appear before the US Congress to face a fiery question and answer session. Volkswagen Chief Executive Matthias Mueller recently said that the company would launch a recall for cars affected by its diesel emissions crisis in January and complete the fix by the end of next year.
It’s a tough road ahead for the German automaker. Ever since the news about its emission scandal broke – its Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn resigned; reports came that at least 25 lawsuits involving claimants from all 50 states in the U.S. have been filed against the company and its shares plunged as much as 40 percent after it admitted to U.S. regulators that it programmed its car to conceal the true emissions when tested.
