The trial against former top manager Rupert Stadler has been going on for two and a half years. Now he agrees to a deal that may have secured his time and freedom. It is the end of the tale of his innocence.
In the end, it’s obviously good business for Rupert Stadler. He thought about it again for a good week, but on Wednesday the former Audi boss hit – or let a lot more hit: A “full” confession and 1.1 million euros against the prospect of a suspended sentence in the diesel scandal . His client, says Stadler’s defense attorney Thilo Pfordte in the morning, will agree to this deal, Stadler confirms. And the prosecution could also “go along with the criminal presentation of the court,” says prosecutor Nico Petzka.