VW Executive Pleads Guilty to Charges over Role in Emissions Scandal

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On Friday, Volkswagen executive Oliver Schmidt pleaded guilty to charges related to the massive emissions cheating scandal that has already cost the auto company tens of billions of dollars.

Schmidt, 48, reportedly admitted to participating in a conspiracy to deceive U.S. regulators by installing technology in its vehicles designed to defeat emissions testing devices, causing vehicles to emit far less pollution under testing conditions than they emit under normal driving conditions.

Approximately 11 million diesel vehicles reportedly had these defeat devices installed. At the same time, VW touted its “clean diesel” vehicles that could meet heightened emissions standards. These so-called “clean diesel” vehicles appealed to environmentally conscious consumers who wanted vehicles that produced less pollution.

Although the cheat device allowed the VW vehicles to pass emissions testing, but under normal driving conditions, they reportedly emitted pollutants at levels higher than those permitted under federal and California law.

According to a report from The New York Times, Schmidt played an important role in Volkswagen’s effort to mislead U.S. regulators about its vehicles’ compliance with federal emissions standards. He served as a liaison to U.S. and California regulators while Volkswagen engaged in the emissions cheating scheme.

Even as regulators were investigating the emissions of diesel Volkswagen vehicles in 2015, Schmidt failed to inform them that the company installed devices in the vehicles that were specifically designed to cheat the emissions testing.

He was arrested in January while vacationing in Florida and was denied bail due to flight risk. He was to be held in U.S. custody until trial, but agreed to a plea deal in exchange for reduced charges.

Sentencing will take place on Dec. 6. Schmidt will face up to seven years in prison and will be fined between $40,000 and $400,000 for his role in the VW emissions scandal.

Schmidt was charged with 11 felony counts and could have faced up to 169 years in prison, according to federal prosecutors. They agreed to drop most of the counts against him as part of the plea deal, and Schmidt has reportedly consented to deportation once he has completed his prison sentence.

Volkswagen has agreed to pay up to $15 billion to resolve claims in the United States from regulators and VW owners related to the emissions cheating scandal. The beleaguered car company has agreed to buy back around 500,000 affected vehicles.

The auto maker has also agreed to pay $4.3 billion in civil and criminal penalties related to a case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Owners and lessees of Volkswagen and Audi vehicles that were equipped with VW emissions defeat devices may be entitled to a cash payment and/or participation in a vehicle buyback program. Click here or visit www.VWCourtSettlement.com to find out if you qualify.

In related legal news, the U.K. has implemented new environmentally friendly emission restrictions that will begin in 2021. However, Northern Ireland will not be included.

This Volkswagen Emissions Cheating Scandal Lawsuit is The United States v. Schmidt, Case No. 2:16-cr-20394, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.