WWW.USDOJ.GOV

FORMER GM EXECUTIVE CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING COMPANY

WASHINGTON D.C.-A former high-ranking executive of General Motors has been indicted for defrauding General Motors by stealing confidential documents and taking them to a corporate competitor in 1992, the Justice Department announced today.

The six count indictment, unsealed in Detroit, Michigan today, charges Jose Ignacio Lopez de Arriortua, a Spanish citizen, with multiple charges of wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property, and transportation of a victim of a scheme to defraud.

According to the indictment, Lopez, defrauded his employer, General Motors, and its German subsidiary, Adam Opel AG, by stealing confidential documents and taking them to one of GM and Opel's largest competitors, Volkswagen AG of Germany. The indictment alleges that after beginning secret negotiations with executives of Volkswagen AG in 1992, Lopez accumulated a large amount of confidential GM materials. Lopez used these materials after beginning his employment at Volkswagen.

The indictment further alleges that when asked by GM/Opel officials to return documents and materials still in their possession, Lopez and others caused to be shredded many of the documents they had stolen. The indictment also alleges that Lopez made false statements and misrepresentations to GM/Opel in order to conceal his theft and subsequent destruction of those documents.

Lopez is believed to be currently living in Spain. A federal grand jury originally returned the indictment in October of 1999 under seal. The indictment was unsealed today, and a formal request will be made to Spain for his extradition.

Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. The charges of interstate transportation of stolen property and interstate transportation of a victim of a scheme to defraud each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the prosecution is being handled by the Fraud Section of the Department of Justice. An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

###

00-291