Four Former Volkswagen Executives Found Guilty in Diesel Emissions Scandal
A German court has delivered a verdict in a long-running trial related to the Dieselgate scandal, with four former senior Volkswagen executives found guilty of fraud. The Braunschweig regional court handed down multiple-year prison sentences to two of the defendants, while the other two received suspended sentences.
The trial, which lasted nearly four years, centered on the accusation of organized and commercial fraud. Prosecutors had sought prison sentences for three of the men, while the defense team argued for acquittals and a warning for the defendants.
The Dieselgate scandal, which first emerged in September 2015, revolved around the use of illegal software in the engine control units of diesel-powered vehicles to manipulate emissions tests. The original VW emissions scandal triggered a far-reaching crisis in the automotive industry.