VW cites privacy laws in refusing to provide documents.

• Position: PRIVACY - Volkswagen

Volkswagen has refused to provide its executives' e-mails and other communications to U.S. attorneys general who requested the documents as part of their investigations into the company's emissions scandal, according to the New York Times.

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In September 2015, Volkswagen admitted to installing software to cheat on emissions tests in 11 million diesel vehicles sold worldwide. The Times reported that a 48-state civil investigation is being led by several states, including New York and Connecticut, and attorneys general in California and Texas are also looking into the company, which includes the Audi and Porsche brands.

An inquiry by the U.S. Justice Department states that Volkswagen had "impeded and obstructed" regulators and provided "misleading information." Investigators say Volkswagen's actions limit their ability to identify which employees knew about or sanctioned the emissions cheating. Penalties would be greater if the states and others pursuing Volkswagen in court could prove that top executives were aware of or directed the activity.

German investigators said Volkswagen is working with them under the auspices of German law. Klaus Ziehe, a spokesman for...