French Volkswagen investigation finds 22.78 billion euros in diesel sales

France’s customer fraud watchdog thinks Volkswagen made 22.78 billion euros ($25.65 billion) in sale proceeds on automobiles sold in the nation with unlawful defeat devices, according to Le Monde report..

Pointing out a file sent out to prosecutors by the DGCCRF anti-fraud firm, which has not been released, the French daily also reported findings that diesel emissions test-cheating conserved 1.52 billion euros that the automaker would otherwise have had to invest to adhere to policies.

Representatives for Volkswagen France and the Paris prosecutor did not right away return calls looking for comment. Volkswagen already faces up to $25 billion in U.S. expenses associated to the dieselgate scandal, consisting of a criminal settlement.

The French sales and savings figures might ultimately be used by a court to set fines versus VW, if the automaker were founded guilty on fraud charges pursued by the Paris prosecutor.

The DGCCRF likewise determined that the automaker’s theoretical optimum penalty, topped at 10 percent of yearly income, would total up to 19.73 billion euros, Le Monde stated.