VW's Former Boss Has Been Charged Over His Part In Dieselgate

US prosecutors’ quest to bring dieselgate participants to justice has now reached the highest level possible. Martin Winterkorn - VW AG’s CEO from 2007 - 2015 - has now be charged over his alleged part in the company’s widespread emissions test cheating.

The charges were made against the 70-year-old by a federal court in Detroit back in March, but the indictment remained sealed until Thursday this week. The charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States of America, violation of the Clean Air Act and wire fraud.

Winterkorn resigned in September 2015 just days after VW’s activities came to light, although internal memos seem to suggest he knew about potential diesel issues over a year before the news broke.

In a statement, US attorney general Jeff Sessions had the following to say of the latest development in the scandal:

“The indictment unsealed today alleged that Volkswagen’s scheme to cheat its legal requirements went all the way to the top of the company. These are serious allegations, and we will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law.”