[AMG Power]

VW's Emission Compliance Manager Schmidt gets a seven year jail term and a $400,000 fine:

Link

[libranof1987]

I am thoroughly impressed by what the Judge said:

federal judge Sean Cox told Schmidt: “It is my opinion that you are a key conspirator in this scheme to defraud the United States. You saw this as your opportunity to shine.”

What a powerful statement. Not just to Schmidt but to Corporate America in general. You cannot put self over country.

Wonder what will follow this judgement, considering Trump and Merkel's personal position in Germany not as strong at the moment.

This should be a lesson in judiciary for both, nations and companies. Don't we wish we had something similar.

[blackwasp]

Oliver Schmidt, the former Volkswagen Executive has been sentenced to 7 years in prison by the US court. A Judge in Detroit has also levied a fine of USD 4,00,000 on Schmidt who was who was arrested in January by the F.B.I.

The German was returning to his home country after a family vacation in Florida when he was arrested. Schmidt was the general manager in charge of Volkswagen's environment land engineering office in Michigan. He pleaded guilty to his role on the emissions cover-up and had said that he was 'misused' by the company to bypass the US emission laws.

The officials of the government agencies had argued that Schmidt was in the position of a leadership role and was present when decisions to violate the Clean Air Act were taken. Volkswagen pleaded guilty in March and had agreed to pay billions of dollars in penalties. Schmidt is the highest-ranking employee of Volkswagen to be convicted in this regard. Further, most of the other executives are in Germany and it is unlikely that they will be extradited for trial in US.



Source - Guardian

Link to the Team-BHP News

[whitewing]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Not just to Schmidt but to Corporate America in general. You cannot put self over country.
.....
This should be a lesson in judiciary for both, nations and companies. Don't we wish we had something similar.

Totally agree, just compare what happened with the emission fixing of Tavera in India, GM just cut corners to beat the norms to save money. Don't recollect any one being held accountable by the authorities, lucky that a recall even happened.

[V.Narayan]

This gentleman is the fall guy. Senior enough to count in the eyes of the prosecutors and yet not so senior that VW will work overtime to keep out of jail. He could not have hatched this on his own and implemented it without the active blessings of his seniors in Germany. I wonder if he had the opportunity for a plea-bargain in return for telling on others.