Volkswagen integrity chief exits after 'differences'

Volkswagen Group said Thursday that its integrity chief is exiting about a year after she was appointed in response to the emissions scandal that engulfed the company.

Christine Hohmann-Dennhardt, head of integrity and legal affairs since Jan. 1, 2016, is relinquishing her post via "mutual agreement" after "differences" in "understanding of responsibilities and future operating structures within the function she leads," VW said in a statement.

Hiltrud Werner, head of Volkswagen Group auditing, will take over the integrity and legal affairs position.

The shakeup comes as Volkswagen has vowed to make integrity a pillar of its global renewal. Volkswagen said its decision to immediately appoint a successor was reflective of its commitment to the importance of the position.

"Volkswagen will continue to press forward with changes to its way of thinking and working," VW said. "The Group has substantially elevated its commitment to working ethically and with integrity and is decentralizing its organization. Brands and regions already have much more autonomy with regard to their operating business. These and other initiatives are part of a broader transformation of Volkswagen's corporate culture to create a more entrepreneurial and international organization."

The company noted that Hohmann-Dennhardt's exit came after VW reached settlements with the U.S. government and consumers over criminal and civil matters arising from its emissions scandal, which erupted in September 2015. The company admitted to rigging some 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide to circumvent emissions tests.

Earlier this month, Volkswagen agreed to plead guilty to weaving a vast conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and obstructing a federal investigation into its violation of emissions standards, with prosecutors also charging six individual German VW executives for their alleged roles in the scheme.

Hohmann-Dennhardt improved corporate compliance and launched "a campaign to foster the culture of integrity," VW said.  

Follow Paste BN reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.