Former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler is ready to make a confession about his role in Volkswagen Group's diesel emissions scandal in exchange for a suspended sentence and a payment of 1.1 million euros ($1.21 million), his defense team said on Wednesday.
Stadler was charged with fraud in 2020 over his role in the scandal after Audi parent VW Group admitted in 2015 to having used illegal software to cheat on emissions tests.
According to prosecutors, engineers manipulated engines in such a way that they complied with legal exhaust emission values on the test bench but not on the road.
Stadler is accused of failing to stop the sale of affected diesel cars in Europe even after U.S. authorities uncovered the engine-rigging. He had maintained his innocence, blaming engineers for his failure to uncover the widespread cheating.
Stadler, 60, was Audi CEO from 2007 to 2018. The premium brand is regarded as the originator of the emissions manipulation software.
Stadler's defense team said a statement would be made on May 16, after which the judge will decide whether it amounts to a complete confession and deliver a verdict in June. It was not immediately clear whether Stadler would deliver the statement personally or through his lawyers.
Prosecutors have agreed to the deal. A judge had said Stadler faced a prison sentence of 1.5 to 2 years, which would be suspended if he agreed to make a confession.
The deal follows haggling between Stadler's defense team, the prosecutors and the court, especially over how much money Stadler would pay in exchange for a suspended sentence.
Prosecutors wanted 2 million euros, citing Stadler's salaries at Audi and Volkswagen and his financial and real estate assets. Stadler's team had initially argued that 1.1 million euros was too high, as he had no current income and faced hefty legal costs.
Stadler has been on trial along with Wolfgang Hatz, Audi's former head engine development who later became VW Group's top engineer, ex-diesel engine manager Giovanni Pamio and another former engineer who turned state witness named only as Henning L.
Audi declined to comment, saying it was not party to the trial.
Reuters contributed to this report