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Volkswagen to pay Andhra Pradesh $2.4 million
July 22, 2005 14:27 IST

German carmaker Volkswagen AG will pay Andhra Pradesh government nearly euro 2 million ($2.4 million) in damages suffered due to the 'illegal actions' of a former manager at the centre of bribery in a scandal.

Volkswagen said in a statement that the payments were compensation forĀ losses incurred by Andhra Pradesh, following the 'allegedly illegal actions' of former Skoda board member Helmuth Schuster, who resigned on June 15.

Schuster, who is under investigation by German prosecutors, 'deceived the state of Andhra Pradesh by acting without authority' by demanding payments for setting up a factory in India.

Volkswagen said it was investigating the situation and asked Indian authorities for help in finding anyone involved in the affair.

The move is the latest in a widening scandal that has triggered the resignation of several top managers, including the former personnel chief Peter Hartz -- one of Germany's best-known business executives.

Earlier this month, Volkswagen filed criminal complaints against Schuster and another former employee, Klaus-Joachim Gebauer, who was fired from Volkswagen's personnel department.

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