Camilla Jessen
Nearly a decade after Volkswagen’s emissions-cheating scandal came to light, a German court has handed down prison sentences to four former top managers involved in the fraud.
A German court has convicted four former Volkswagen executives for their roles in the company’s “Dieselgate” scandal, nearly ten years after it shook the global auto industry.
This was reported by The Guardian.
The court in Braunschweig, near Volkswagen’s headquarters, found the men guilty of fraud related to software designed to cheat emissions tests.
The longest sentence was handed to Jens H, who oversaw diesel engine development.
The most severe sentence was handed to Jens H., who previously oversaw diesel engine development. He was sentenced to four years and six months in prison.
Hanno J., the former head of Volkswagen’s drive electronics division, received two years and seven months behind bars.
Two other former managers, including former development director Heinz-Jakob Neusser, received suspended sentences of one year and three months and one year and ten months respectively.
All four individuals have the right to appeal the court’s decision.
What Was Dieselgate?
The scandal broke in September 2015 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that Volkswagen had installed illegal software, known as “defeat devices,” in millions of its diesel vehicles.
These systems allowed cars to pass emissions tests under laboratory conditions while emitting pollutants up to 40 times above legal limits during normal driving.
Volkswagen ultimately admitted to the deception, affecting more than 11 million cars worldwide.
The fallout led to a global recall, $33 billion in fines and compensation payments, and long-term damage to the company’s reputation.
In the U.S., two Volkswagen executives have already served prison time over the scandal.
Additionally, Rupert Stadler, the former head of VW’s Audi division, received a 21-month suspended sentence and a €1.1 million fine in Germany, with the possibility of appeal.