German court convicts 4 ex-Volkswagen managers of fraud

[nsaspook]

https://apnews.com/article/volkswag...-court-fraud-3878fcf6c06c9574bf5bff8d31029f90

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A German court on Monday convicted four former Volkswagen managers of fraud and gave two of them prison sentences for their part in the manipulation of emissions controls, almost a decade after the scandal erupted over the company’s rigging of diesel-engine vehicles.

The former head of diesel development was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, and the head of drive train electronics to two years and seven months by the court in Braunschweig, German news agency dpa reported. Two others received suspended sentences of 15 months and 10 months.

The scandal began in September 2015 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice of violation. saying that the company had rigged engine control software that let the cars pass emissions tests while they emitted far more pollution in actual driving.

 

[sbrothy]

It's somewhat remarkable for two reasons. Firstly, for once it's the guys at the top, the actual responsible persons, getting the rap, and secondly, the punishments are pretty tough. Normally these top CEO's get a golden handshake and a little rap over their fingers. It's sorta refreshing to see the courts doling out some justice, however little. Also, they were pretty stupid to think it would fly with the EU rules. Maybe they thought the EU rules have become so convoluted it would pass under the radar.