German prosecutors launch tax evasion probe at VW: media

[November 24, 2015]  FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German public prosecutors have launched an investigation into suspected tax evasion in connection with the emissions scandal that has rocked carmaker Volkswagen <VOWG_p.DE>, daily paper Sueddeutsche Zeitung and broadcasters NDR and WDR said in a joint report.

The investigation focuses on five Volkswagen employees and concerns several million euros of evaded tax payments linked to rigging of CO2 emissions, they said on Tuesday, citing a spokesman for prosecutors in Braunschweig near Volkswagen's headquarters in Wolfsburg.

Europe's largest automaker admitted on Nov. 3 that carbon dioxide emissions data of some 800,000 cars were false and said compensation payments to customers and other costs related to the malfeasance could amount to 2 billion euros ($2.13 billion).

A car's level of CO2 emissions helps determine how much tax car owners must pay every year.

($1 = 0.9384 euros)

(Reporting by Maria Sheahan)

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