The U.S. Department of Justice charged two Volkswagen engineers, Michael Stamp and Marcus Plank, with securities fraud for an insider-trading scheme tied to Volkswagen’s joint venture with Rivian, known internally as Project Climb. The indictment alleges they profited by more than $300,000 by buying Rivian stock and options after learning of the partnership before it was publicly announced. The deal, announced in late June 2024, would create a Rivian-Volkswagen joint venture focused on EV software and architecture, with Volkswagen initially committing about $5 billion and later increasing its stake to a reported $5.8 billion, making Volkswagen Rivian’s largest shareholder. Prosecutors said Stamp and Plank exploited confidential company information and even reviewed legal-risk information before the announcement, with Rivian’s stock surging roughly 23% after the news. The cases underscore ongoing scrutiny of insider trading as a threat to market fairness, with authorities stressing the importance of a level playing field for ordinary investors. Other coverage reiterates the core facts, including details of the profits and the timing surrounding the Project Climb disclosures.