Porsche ex-CEO's home searched in criminal probe

BERLIN: The homes of Porsche SE ex-chief executive Wendelin Wiedeking and his former finance chief have been searched as part of a probe into suspicions of market manipulation, prosecutors said Saturday.

The Stuttgart prosecutors' office confirmed a report in Spiegel magazine that the homes of Wiedeking and Holger Haerter had been searched as a routine measure in the investigation.

No further details were available. Porsche spokesman Frank Gaube said he could not comment on details of the investigation, but reiterated that the firm rejects the allegations.

Last week, Porsche confirmed that both Wiedeking and Haerter were being investigated by Stuttgart prosecutors in connection with the company's unsuccessful attempt to acquire larger automaker Volkswagen AG.

At the time, a spokeswoman for prosecutors, Claudia Krauth, confirmed that an investigation was under way into suspicions of market manipulation and passing on inside information. She declined to give any details.

Porsche's Stuttgart offices were searched last week and prosecutors seized documents.

Wiedeking and Haerter, who had championed Porsche Automobil Holding SE's failed drive to take over VW, stepped down last month.