FRANKFURT, Germany — A German court on Monday convicted four former Volkswagen managers of fraud, two of whom sentenced prison sentences in emission control operations almost a decade after hitting the rigged diesel engine vehicles in emission control operations.
The former head of Diesel Development was sentenced to four and a half years by the Braunschweig court, and the head of Drive Train Electronics has been brought to two years and seven months. The other two received a suspended sentence of 15 and 10 months.
The scandal began in September 2015 when the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice of violation. The company said it was equipped with engine control software that allowed cars to pass emissions, while releasing much more pollution in real driving.
The company has paid more than $33 billion in fines and compensation to vehicle owners. The two VW managers were sentenced in the United States to Rupert Stadler, the former head of the company’s Audi division, and were sentenced to 21 months of suspension and fined 1.1 million euros ($1.25 million). This sentence is still subject to appeal.
It was former CEO Martin Wintercorn who went missing from a trial that lasted almost four years. The lawsuit against him has been suspended due to health issues, and it is not clear when he will be brought to trial. Wintercorn denied any misconduct.
Further proceedings are being opened for 31 other German suspects.
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