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But Heinrich von Pierer still may face civil liability under German law that holds execs liable for negligence

MUNICH
Prosecutors in Germany may begin civil procedures against the former chairman of engineering and electronics titan Siemens, who resigned after the firm was enmeshed in a probe of alleged widespread bribery.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the proceedings against Heinrich von Pierer could carry fines but not imprisonment. Under German corporate law, an executive found liable for negligence that causes harm to a company can be fined up to $1.5 million.

According to Berlin-based publication Deutsche Welle, prosecutors concluded that there was insufficient evidence to pursue a criminal case against von Pierer, who resigned from Siemens after allegations surfaced that sales executives had maintained slush finds to bribe officials in Greece, Italy, and other nations to buy telecommunications equipment and other products from the company.

UPI reports that von Pierer repeatedly has denied any knowledge of bribes.

An internal report commissioned by Siemens, though, found that virtually all sectors of the global business were affected by active corruption, according to the Agence France-Presse.

Sources: Deutsche Welle, May 9 — AFP, May 9 — Wall Street Journal, May 9 — UPI, Apr. 19.

For more information, see: Related Newsline story, May 5 — Related Newsline story, Jan. 28 — Related Newsline story, Nov. 13, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Nov. 5, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Sep. 24, 2007.