Former Porsche SE Chief Financial Officer Holger Haerter was charged along with two other company managers over statements made to a bank when the company refinanced a 10 billion-euro ($13.2 billion) loan.

The three men are accused of understating Porsche's liquidity needs by 1.4 billion euros if all purchase options the company held on Volkswagen AG shares had been exercised, Stuttgart prosecutors said in an e-mailed statement today, without disclosing any names. Haerter will fight the charges, his attorney, Anne Wehnert, said in an e-mailed statement.

The case focuses on the failed attempt by the Stuttgart- based sports-car maker to acquire its larger competitor. Investors claim Porsche misled them by denying, throughout much of 2008, that it intended to acquire VW. Porsche said in October of that year it controlled most of VW's common stock, causing the shares to surge as short-sellers raced to cover their positions. Porsche has denied the allegations.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to Treasury & Risk, part of your ALM digital membership.

  • Critical Treasury & Risk information including in-depth analysis of treasury and finance best practices, case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts and videos, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.