U.S. Sen. Schumer: Volkswagen fine should include rebates for buyers
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FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2015 file photo, company logos of the German car manufacturer Volkswagen sit in a box at a scrap yard in Berlin, Germany. Who knew about the deception, when did they know it and who directed it? Those are among questions that state and federal investigators want answered as they plunge into the emissions scandal at Volkswagen that has cost the chief executive his job, caused stock prices to plummet and could result in billions of dollars in fines. Legal experts say the German automaker is likely to face significant legal problems, including potential criminal charges. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)
ALBANY, N.Y. >> U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer says the federal government should seek the maximum possible fine from Volkswagen and demand that the automaker give rebates to buyers following the recent scandal over emissions testing.
The New York Democrat calls the company’s actions a "deceptive and massive fraud" among the worst in corporate history. He says he wants the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Justice Department to seek an $18 billion fine, the highest possible.
He added that drivers who purchased the affected cars should receive a portion of the settlement amount as a rebate.
Schumer says such a high fine amount would send a "dramatic and strong" message that corporate deception won’t be tolerated.
