4 ex-VW executives convicted of fraud in 'Dieselgate' scandal

A former head of diesel engine development was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

The Volkswagen ‘Dieselgate’ scandal needs no introduction. It first came to light in September 2015 and caused quite a stir in the auto industry. But now there is a verdict on the trial that went on for almost four years. The Braunschweig Regional Court in northern Germany on Monday convicted four former Volkswagen executives of fraud over the "Dieselgate" scandal. 

Out of the four executives, two were sentenced to several years in prison, with two other former employees receiving suspended sentences. A former head of diesel engine development was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. The former head of drive electronics received two years and seven months in prison. The highest-ranking defendant, a former member of the Volkswagen brand's development board, received one year and three months' probation. A former department head was sentenced to one year and ten months' probation.

However, there is no clarity on the proceedings against former chief executive Martin Winterkorn. They were suspended citing health reasons before they began in September 2021.

He has since appeared in court as both a witness and a defendant, repeatedly denying any responsibility for the scandal.

A recent accident and hospitalization further interrupted his case, and it remains unclear if or when the proceedings against the now 78-year-old will resume.

The scandal took a big toll on Volkswagen, plunging the car maker into a deep crisis. It has faced countless lawsuits and estimated the total cost of the scandal at more than €30 billion ($34 billion).

Source: DW.com