VW Italia chair, CEO probed for trade fraud

(ANSA) - Rome, October 15 -  Verona prosecutors have placed the chairman of the board of Volkswagen Italia, Luca De Meo, and CEO Massimo Nordio under investigation for possible trade fraud following an emissions-fixing scandal at the German automaker, sources said Thursday.

Earlier, finance police  searched the Verona offices of the Volkswagen Group Italia and Lamborghini Automobili offices in Bologna on suspicion of trade fraud.  The Italian luxury carmaker is owned by the Volkswagen Group through its subsidiary brand division Audi. On Wednesday, Volkswagen Italia CEO Massimo Nordio told the Senate's environment and industry committees that the German carmaker has suspended the sale of 1,300 vehicles in Italy in the wake of an emissions-fixing scandal.
    Earlier this week, a Cuneo couple who own an Audi A3 sued for damages in the emissions-rigging case also known as Dieselgate. The couple's lawyers are also preparing a class-action lawsuit.