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In a week where Volkswagen was trying to shine at the North American International Auto Show, the Justice Department had other ideas.
A federal grand jury in Detroit on Wednesday indicted six Volkswagen executives for their roles in the nearly 10-year conspiracy in which the German auto giant rigged more than half a million diesel vehicles with software to cheat U.S. pollution laws.
At the same time, the Justice Department announced that Volkswagen has agreed to plead guilty to three criminal felony counts and pay $4.3 billion in civil and criminal penalties for the scheme, and for lying and obstructing justice to perpetuate the scheme.
The six German individuals charged are: Heinz-Jakob Neusser, 56; Jens Hadler, 50; Richard Dorenkamp, 68; Bernd Gottweis, 69; Oliver Schmidt, 48; and Jürgen Peter, 59. Schmidt was arraigned in Miami on Monday.
"Volkswagen’s attempts to dodge emissions standards and import falsely certified vehicles into the country represent an egregious violation of our nation’s environmental, consumer protection and financial laws,” said Attorney General Loretta Lynch in a statement. “Today’s actions reflect the Justice Department’s steadfast commitment to defending consumers, protecting our environment and our financial system and holding individuals and companies accountable for corporate wrongdoing.
"In the days ahead, we will continue to examine Volkswagen’s attempts to mislead consumers and deceive the government. And we will continue to pursue the individuals responsible for orchestrating this damaging conspiracy.”
