US, September 23, 2015: In United States, Volkswagen is charged in multiple investigation, including a criminal probe from the Department of Justice, reports say.
By the world’s biggest carmaker, they follow an admission that it ignored US regulations in exhaust emissions tests.
As federal authorities can bring charges with acute penalties against a firm and individuals, Department of Justice criminal investigation would be serious.
New York state’s top lawyer started an investigation late on Tuesday.
Eric Schneiderman, New York Attorney General, said that he would collaborate with other states to enforce consumer and environmental law. He also said in a statement announcing the probe that,”No company should be allowed to evade our environmental laws or promise consumers a fake bill of goods.”
At the same time, how Volkswagen cheated tests to measure the amount of pollutants coming from its diesel cars is being investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board.
11 million vehicles globally were involved and it was setting aside €6.5bn (£4.7bn) to cover costs of the scandal according to Volkswagen.
The Department of Justice is looking into the issue, which increases the possibility of the company and individual executives facing criminal charges, according to news agencies Bloomberg and AFP. However, the Department of Justice often imposes hefty payments from companies to settle criminal charges.
