Ex-Audi CEO Clams Up, Wants Out of the Clink

Former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler’s “How I spent My Summer Vacation” story isn’t likely to make any of us jealous. The one-time top dog at the German luxury automaker has cooled his heels in a Bavarian jail ever since German authorities arrested him on suspicion of fraud back in June. Stadler’s arrest served as a shocking escalation in Germany’s investigation into Volkswagen Group’s diesel emissions scandal.

It seems like time behind bars is getting to Stadler. As the suspended executive attempts to gain his release from prison, new details have emerged over the reasons for his arrest.

According to Reuters, Stadler has stopped giving statements to prosecutors after initially being cooperative. Munich prosecutor Andrea Mayer claims Stadler’s interrogation is complete, and the prosecutor’s office says he has appealed for his release from the Augsburg prison. The Munich court hasn’t yet returned a decision.

As VW Group execs found themselves under the microscope and charges began being laid earlier this year, prosecutors tapped Stadler’s phone. The arrest came as prosecutors feared the exec was attempting to influence witnesses in the diesel affair. According to German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Stadler made no confession during interrogation, and maintains that there was no danger of collusion with witnesses. The questioning he faced, the newspaper claims, was “very tough.”

As Stadler attempts to spring himself from the slammer, another high-ranking Audi exec is reportedly also facing a barrage of questions.

Audi board members suspended Stadler a day after his mid-June arrest and named sales boss Bram Schot as an interim replacement. Should be be cleared of involvement in the diesel deception, it’s assumed Stadler would return to his post.

[Image: Audi AG]