The Man From FCPA

What effect will the U.S. indictment of former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn have on German prosecutors? Will Germany have the desire to indict and try the former head of the world’s largest auto manufacturer and pride of Germany? 

In one of the more interesting and recent twists to the emissions-cheating scandal, Volkswagen has accused a group of fellow German car manufacturers of collusion over the diesel engine scandal, now almost two years old.

Tom Fox explores the case of Hans Dieter Pötsch, chairman of the VW supervisory board, who could be held responsible if German prosecutors find the board had actual knowledge, but failed to keep shareholders abreast, of the emissions-testing scandal and its potential costs. 

The Man From FCPA Tom Fox explores the fallout from VW’s emissions-testing scandal and how the company will make restitution going forward to its customers, dealers, and other stakeholders.

How does Volkswagen’s conduct around its emission-testing scandal mirror the actions of Lance Armstrong? For one thing, both were involved in the largest scandals in their respective spheres: Armstrong in cycling, and Volkswagen in car manufacturing. Yet, the similarities go even further. Tom Fox reports.

VW’s response to its defrauded customers in Europe is worse, than laughable. It's indefensible. Where is the company's compliance function? Tom Fox explores.

With great power comes great responsibility. The Norwegian Oil Fund already knows that, but it appears the company will give the entire world a responsiblity lesson as it takes more interest in the corporate governance policies of those firms in which it invests. The Man From FCPA Tom Fox has more.

“Death by PowerPoint” is a typical description of really poor presentation technique, but it might just be a way to describe how some companies accidentally self-report their own corruption. Tom Fox has more.

Last week Volkswagen offered amnesty to employees who admit any role they played in the emissions-testing scandal currently wracking the company—no doubt drawing upon the success Siemens had when it made a similar offer to employees during a 2006 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation. Opinions differ on the move, but many seem to agree that VW employees would be wise to jump on the Amnesty Microbus sooner, rather than later. Our Man From FCPA Tom Fox has more inside.

Talk in corporate compliance circles lately has been dominated by the United States and publication of the Yates Memo, where the Justice Department will be pushing for more prosecution of individuals. The real bite for compliance, however, might be happening in Europe, where regulators are moving against the chiefs at both Volkswagen and FIFA. Our anti-corruption blogger Tom Fox reads more of the tea leaves inside.

Fox

Corporate scandals come in many forms, and can violate any number of federal statutes. For compliance officers, however, some key phrases—such as one that has turned up in scandals including Volkswagen and Hewlett-Packard—are the words that should guide your program. When employees utter them, they need to know what to do next. Tom Fox, our Man From FCPA has more inside.