In another stunning example about “HOW NOT TO” set the proper tone from the top, a former member of the German parliament and the ex-director of Volkswagen’s works council was convicted yesterday of using company money to buy prostitutes and lying to cover it up.

The former head of Volkswagen’s work council had previously won libel cases against papers claiming that “he liked to party”… then he changed his mind and admitted that “he likes to party” – unfortunately at the expense of Volkswagen (and its reputation). You can only imagine what a poor example this sets for other Volkswagen employees around the world who are supposed to be acting in a compliant and ethical manner.

As reported in Euronews…

Hans-Juergen Uhl owned up to the charges at a court in Wolfsburg. He was fined just over 39,000 euros.

He had previously denied any wrong-doing and won several libel suits against media sources that made the allegations against him. But he resigned from Parliament at the end of May, saying he had in fact lied.

Uhl’s case is the second in a two-year probe.

VW’s former Personnel boss Peter Hartz received a two year suspended sentence and a fine in January. He admitted approving the use of company funds to pay for bonuses, trips and prostitutes to keep smooth relations between management and workers unions.

Uhl, who was on the receiving end of these perks, told the court his conduct at the time contradicts all his personal values. Two other suspects are awaiting trial for similar offenses.