VW diesel whistleblower identified in book

As Volkswagen’s criminal case closed on Friday, a nagging question persists: Who blew the whistle and first admitted to regulators that VW was lying about its dirty diesels?

Volkswagen AG was sentenced in a Detroit courtroom after pleading guilty last month to three federal felonies for diesel emissions violations, which were brought to light based on information given to federal law enforcement from an internal whistleblower. A new book on the VW diesel emissions scandal by a New York Times reporter asserts that it was an American VW executive who first disclosed VW’s criminal acts to regulators.

The whistleblower named in the book: Stuart Johnson, head of VW’s Engineering and Environmental Office in the Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills, which has responsibility for VW’s interaction with U.S. regulators. read more »

U.S. Judge Sentences Volkswagen to Three-Years' Probation, Oversight

A federal judge in Detroit on Friday sentenced Volkswagen AG to three years' probation and independent oversight for the German automaker's diesel emissions scandal as part of a $4.3 billion settlement announced in January.

"This is a case of deliberate and massive fraud," U.S. District Judge Sean Cox said in approving the settlement that requires the automaker to make significant reforms. He also formally approved a $2.8 billion criminal fine as part of the sentence.

"This is a very serious and very troubling case involving an iconic automobile company," Cox added. "I just can't believe VW is in the situation it finds itself in today."

Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Trevor N. McFadden of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Speaks at ACI’s 19th Annual Conference on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

"Good morning, and thank you for the very kind introduction.  It is a pleasure to see so many friends and colleagues here today.  I appreciate the invitation to be with you all, and congratulations to American Conference Institute (ACI) for hosting their 19th  Conference on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). 

Today, I would like to address the suggestions from some that the Department of Justice no longer is interested in prosecuting white collar crime.  I intend to dispel that myth.  While we are boosting our focus on violent crime prosecutions, the Criminal Division is fully engaged in combatting crime in all its forms, and no matter what color collar its perpetrators wear." read more »

Walgreens Pays $10 Million to Settle California Claim

Federal prosecutors say Walgreens has paid nearly $10 million to settle claims that it sought reimbursement from California's Medi-Cal program without proper documentation.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento said Thursday that the state program pays for specific drugs used to treat certain illnesses for millions of Californians with low incomes and disabilities.

It says Walgreens failed to get the state's permission before it billed Medi-Cal for non-approved uses, but falsely said it had complied.

The settlement grew from two whistleblower lawsuits. The former pharmacist and the former pharmacy technician who reported the problem will get about $2.3 million of the settlement. read more »

China chases billionaire who threatens 'explosive' allegations against elite

Guo Wengui says he is victim of a witch hunt after he vows to lift the lid on alleged corruption at senior levels of the Communist party

A flamboyant Chinese billionaire known for his love of supercars and social media has claimed he is the victim of a political witch hunt after he threatened to lift the lid on “explosive information” about corruption at the top of Chinese politics.

On Wednesday China’s foreign ministry confirmed that, at Beijing’s request, Interpol had issued a red notice for the arrest of Guo Wengui, a 50-year-old tycoon who had in recent months taken the highly unusual step of speaking out about alleged cases of corruption involving the relatives of senior leaders.

Lu Kang, a foreign ministry spokesperson, described Guo as a “suspect” but offered no further details.

But citing anonymous sources, the South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong-based newspaper to which Beijing often hands politically sensitive scoops, claimed the billionaire was wanted for allegedly paying a 60m yuan (£6.8m) bribe to former spy chief Ma Jian, one of the most powerful victims of President Xi Jinping’s high-profile war on corruption. read more »

Encino Dermatologist Pays Nearly $2.7 Million to Resolve Allegations He Billed Medicare for Unnecessary Mohs Skin Cancer Surgeries

The owner of The Skin Cancer Medical Center in Encino has paid the United States nearly $2.7 million to resolve allegations that he submitted bills to Medicare for Mohs micrographic surgeries for skin cancers that were medically unnecessary. read more »

Mondelez India bribery case may see top guns face off in the US

It has been a long running battle for snack maker Mondelez International, Inc. The company, maker of button shaped Gems candy chocolate and Dairy Milk chocolate bars, has been trying to convince the US and Indian regulators for seven years that allegations of it having set up a phantom factory in Himachal Pradesh and paid bribes to regularize it were just that — mere allegations. read more »