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.
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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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