FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — German prosecutors say they have conducted further searches at two locations and had one person taken into custody in connection with their investigation into alleged manipulation of diesel emissions in Audi cars sold in the United States.
Prosecutors in Munich who are conducting the investigation confirmed Thursday that the searches and arrest were carried out Wednesday.
They are investigating possible fraud and illegal advertising relating to the sale of 80,000 vehicles with 3.0 liter diesel engines. The cars were equipped with software that turned emissions controls on when the vehicles were being tested and off during every day driving.
Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen, Audi's parent company, has agreed to pay more than $20 billion in civil and criminal penalties and settlements that included Volkswagen-brand cars also equipped with such software.