Former VW Exec Gets 7 Years in Prison for Role in Dieselgate Scandal

Sam McEachern
by Sam McEachern

Former Volkswagen executive Oliver Schmidt, who authorities say played a significant role in trying to cover up the automaker’s ‘Dieselgate’ scandal, has been sentenced to 7 years in prison and must pay a $400,000 fine.

The sentencing represents the maximum allowable punishment for the 48-year old Schmidt, who was arrested in January of this year when trying to return to Germany following a family vacation on Florida. He will be allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence in the Milan, Michigan facility where he has been held since March. Schmidt will also be granted time served for the 11 months he has already spent behind bars.

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen Gets One Step Closer to Ending its Dieselgate Scandal

Authorities say Schmidt led VW’s initiative to conceal its diesel emissions scandal and did not cooperate with US investigators during their probe into the matter. He plead guilty to two felony charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and violating the Clean Air Act. According to Automotive News Europe, a third charge of aiding and abetting wire fraud was rolled into the conspiracy charge as part of a plea agreement.

[Source: Automotive News Europe]

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Sam McEachern
Sam McEachern

Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.

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 2 comments
  • Iammrmail Iammrmail on Dec 08, 2017

    It's about time one of these white collar liars who only care about their paychecks, and the company's stock value so they get their bonus personally pays the price. Even better, the Judge gave him the maximum term. Too bad it wasn't more

    • Joe Dunlap Joe Dunlap on Jan 29, 2018

      This guy was nothing but a scapegoat middle manager. Piech took his golden parachute and bailed. Hes the one who should be rotting in jail.

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