The Braunschweig Regional Court in Germany delivered its long-awaited ruling on Monday, May 26th, convicting four former Volkswagen executives of fraud in connection with the infamous Dieselgate scandal. The sentencing brings closure to a case that has cost the company over €30 billion in legal fees, compensation claims, and regulatory fines worldwide.
The convictions stem from the global emissions scandal that erupted in September 2015, when Volkswagen admitted to manipulating diesel emissions tests in the United States. The German automobile manufacturer had installed illegal software in millions of vehicles, giving false results during environmental testing.
Out of four executives on trial, two received significant prison sentences. A former Head of Diesel Engine Development was sentenced to four and a half years behind bars. The former Head of Drive Electronics received a sentence of two years and seven months in prison. The other two defendants received suspended sentences.
Notably absent from among those found guilty was former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, who was initially set to be tried alongside the four defendants. His case was suspended in September 2021 due to health concerns and remains pending.
