Rupert Stadler, the former CEO of Audi, has been sentenced by a German court for his involvement in the diesel scandal that rocked the Volkswagen Group in 2015.
On Tuesday, Stadler was given a one-year suspended sentence and fined 1.1 million euros (equivalent to approximately $1.2 million) after he confessed to his role in the scandal back in May. This makes him the first former board member of VW Group to be sentenced in connection with the controversy.
Stadler, who was initially charged in 2019, has been undergoing trial proceedings since 2020. During the trial, Stadler, through his lawyer, claimed that he had no knowledge of the “defeat device” software intended to manipulate emissions during regulatory tests. However, he acknowledged the possibility of its existence and admitted to the necessity for greater caution, according to Reuters.
Wolfgang Hatz, the former head of powertrain development at Audi and the head of research and development at Porsche during the scandal’s outbreak, received a two-year suspended sentence for fraud and a fine of 400,000 euros (around $438,000). Another engineer, Zaccheo Giovanni Pamio, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and fined 50,000 euros (approximately $55,000).
Martin Winterkorn, who served as the CEO of VW Group at the time of the scandal, also faces charges but his court proceedings in Germany have been delayed due to health issues. He is also subject to charges by U.S. authorities; however, he cannot be extradited from Germany.
The fallout from the scandal has been financially significant for the VW Group, resulting in costs exceeding $30 billion in buybacks, repairs, and penalties. While several individuals have faced sentencing, only two have received prison terms so far, both in the United States. Oliver Schmidt received a seven-year prison sentence in 2017, while James Liang was sentenced to four years in the same year.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about diesel scandal
What was Rupert Stadler’s sentence in the diesel scandal case?
Rupert Stadler, the former CEO of Audi, received a one-year suspended sentence and a fine of 1.1 million euros ($1.2 million) for his involvement in the diesel scandal.
Was Rupert Stadler aware of the defeat device software?
According to his lawyer, Stadler claimed that he was not aware of the defeat device software designed to manipulate emissions during testing. However, he acknowledged the possibility of its existence and recognized the need for greater caution.
Has any other board member of VW Group been sentenced in relation to the diesel scandal?
Rupert Stadler is the first former VW Group board member to be sentenced in connection with the diesel scandal. However, Martin Winterkorn, who was CEO of VW Group at the time, also faces charges but his court proceedings have been delayed due to health issues.
What were the sentences for other individuals involved in the diesel scandal?
Wolfgang Hatz, Audi’s former head of powertrain development and R&D at Porsche during the scandal, received a two-year suspended sentence and a fine of 400,000 euros ($438,000). Engineer Zaccheo Giovanni Pamio was sentenced to 21 months in prison and fined 50,000 euros ($55,000).
How much has the diesel scandal cost the VW Group?
The fallout from the scandal has resulted in costs exceeding $30 billion for the VW Group, which includes expenses related to buybacks, fixes, and fines.
Yes, in the United States, two individuals have received prison terms. Oliver Schmidt was sentenced to seven years, and James Liang received a four-year prison sentence.
More about diesel scandal
- Former Audi CEO Rupert Stadler sentenced over diesel scandal – Source
- Volkswagen Group’s diesel scandal – Source
- Rupert Stadler’s involvement in the scandal – Source
- Details of the suspended sentence and fine – Source
- Information on other individuals involved in the scandal – Source
- Costs incurred by VW Group due to the scandal – Source
- Prison sentences in relation to the diesel scandal – Source
5 comments
prison terms in the US, huh? Schmidt got 7 years, and Liang got 4. well, at least they’re doin’ some hard time. it’s just crazy to think about how much this scandal cost VW. hope they’ve learned their lesson and clean up their act.
need more info on this scandal! any links? wanna read up on all the nitty-gritty details. VW Group must’ve been in chaos during that time. glad to see they’re facing consequences, but man, it’s gonna take ’em a while to recover from all this mess.
wait, so Stadler is the first ex-board member to get punished? damn, took ’em a while to do somethin’. Winterkorn’s trial got stuck cuz of health? that’s fishy. wonder if he’ll ever face the music. anyway, VW paid a hefty price for this whole mess. lesson learned, i guess?
wow, those fines are no joke! Stadler got hit with 1.1 mil euros and Hatz got 400k euros. that’s some serious money. but hey, it’s good to see some accountability, even if it’s a suspended sentence. those emissions cheaters messed up big time.
so the former audi ceo got a suspended sentence & fine! like, for real??! i mean, he said he didnt know bout the emissions cheating thingy, but who really believes that, right? and the scandal cost VW a looot of $$$$$$. crazy stuff man!