4 former Volkswagen managers convicted in ‘dieselgate' fraud
A German court convicted four former Volkswagen managers of fraud on Monday and a decade after 'Dieselgate' exposed deceptive devices installed in many Volkswagen models to pass emissions tests.
Jens Hadler was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison and formerly was Volkswagen's diesel engine development chief, the New York Times reported.
Hanno Jelden, a former VW engine electronics manager, received a sentence of two years and seven months in prison.
Defendants Heinz-Jakob Neusser, a former systems development manager, and a former emissions expert identified as 'Thorsten D.,' received suspended sentences of 15 months and 22 months in prison, respectively.
A judicial panel in Braunschweig, Germany, entered its verdicts in the court that is located close to Volkswagen's headquarters in nearby Wolfsburg.
Panel chairman Judge Christian Schutz called the defendants a 'gang' and said they were guilty of 'particularly serious' fraud, the New York Times reported.
He said Hadler knew of the emissions-testing defeat devices that manipulated software to ensure the vehicles would pass emissions tests since at least September 2007.
Only a relatively small number of people within Volkswagen knew of the device's existence, according to emails used as evidence in the case.
The trial lasted almost four years in the 'dieselgate' emissions scandal that was exposed when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2015 reported many diesel-powered VW models contained deceptive emissions-monitoring devices, Politico reported.
The 'defeat devices' detected when system emissions testing was underway and automatically adjusted engine performance to ensure the respective vehicles met environmental standards.
Berlin's Federal Court of Justice in 2020 ordered Volkswagen to pay up to $31,000 to each of about 60,000 German owners of diesel-powered VWs.
The automaker paid billions of dollars in settlements for installing defeat devices on about 10 million vehicles sold in the U.S., Germany and other markets around the globe.
Legal cases remain open against 31 other defendants, but former VW Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn is not among them due to health concerns, MarketWatch reported.
Winterkorn has denied any wrongdoing in the matter.
Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jury Issues Split Verdict in Harvey Weinstein's Retrial
The jury in Harvey Weinstein's sex crimes retrial delivered a split verdict against the disgraced movie mogul on Wednesday, convicting him of one charge, acquitting him of another, and failing to come to a consensus on a third. Weinstein has been accused by numerous women of sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct over the span of about three decades. The accusations levied against him sparked the landmark #MeToo movement, and his convictions in New York on rape and sexual assault charges in 2020 and on sexual offenses in Los Angeles in 2022 were seen as victories for the movement. But last year, the case against him in New York was thrown into limbo when the state's top court overturned his conviction and sent the case back to the Manhattan courthouse. Here's what to know about the case, and the jury's Wednesday verdict. Weinstein was initially convicted in 2020 of sexual assault and rape in the third degree, and acquitted of predatory sexual assault and of first-degree rape. But in 2024, the New York Court of Appeals overturned his conviction, saying that the appointed judge had prejudiced Weinstein's case by permitting prosecutors to bring women who were not directly tied to the charges to the stand. Three women—Lauren Young, Dawn Dunning, and Tarale Wulff—testified in 2020 about their interactions with Weinstein. The testimony was permitted under a New York state law that allows testimony on 'prior bad acts' to show behavioral trends. But New York's top court said that the three women's testimonies 'served no material non-propensity purpose.' With Weinstein's conviction overturned, the case went to a retrial. Jurors on Wednesday convicted the former movie mogul of forcibly subjecting a person to a criminal sex act, related to an incident in 2006. But they acquitted him of another criminal sex act charge stemming from a 2006 incident. As of Wednesday afternoon, they were unable to reach a verdict on a charge that Weinstein raped a woman in 2013. Jurors are set to return to the courthouse on Thursday to continue deliberations for the remaining charge, the New York Times reported. Weinstein, who has repeatedly denied sexually assaulting or raping anyone, had pleaded not guilty to the charges. Contact us at letters@
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
David Ornstein Confirms Liverpool Striker Move is ‘Possible' After Recent Contact
Liverpool's Forward Focus: Nunez Exit Opens Door for Ekitike After Record-Breaking Wirtz Deal Liverpool's summer window has exploded into life, with business being conducted swiftly and decisively under Arne Slot. Florian Wirtz's arrival, confirmed late Tuesday, will not only obliterate the club's own transfer record but also set new benchmarks across English and German football. At a projected cost of over £115m, it surpasses the Moises Caicedo fee to Chelsea and signals a shift in how the Reds intend to compete. Advertisement As reported by The Athletic's David Ornstein, Wirtz's signing is not the end of Liverpool's spree. 'There is, meanwhile, a possible departure from Merseyside in the form of Darwin Nunez,' Ornstein noted, confirming contact from Al-Hilal for the Uruguayan. While the player is reportedly more inclined to remain in Europe, the financial pull from Saudi Arabia remains a factor. With Wirtz secured and Milos Kerkez close to completing a switch, Liverpool's net summer spend could soon exceed £195m. Yet, there is still desire for a new number nine – and Hugo Ekitike has emerged as the primary target. Ekitike Move Contingent on Outgoings Eintracht Frankfurt's €100m asking price for Ekitike has cooled Chelsea's interest, leaving Liverpool well-positioned – but only if two players depart. As per Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool must sell two of Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa or Darwin Nunez before advancing negotiations for the French forward. Photo: IMAGO The strongest indication of an imminent exit centres on Nunez, who has struggled to consistently justify his £85m price tag since joining from Benfica. Al-Hilal's recent inquiry represents a serious push to bring the Uruguayan to the Saudi Pro League, having previously missed out on Mohamed Salah, Bruno Fernandes and Victor Osimhen. Advertisement 'Liverpool rejected a proposal worth €70m from Al Nassr in January, and that sets a minimum bar if an exit is to materialise,' Ornstein wrote. That valuation remains the benchmark if the Reds are to part ways with the 24-year-old. Elliott and Gakpo Future Questions Wirtz's arrival also places questions around the futures of other attackers, particularly Harvey Elliott. The 22-year-old made his stance clear: 'I don't really want to be wasting years of my career because it's a short career.' With Wolves and Newcastle reportedly interested, Elliott's departure would ease squad congestion and raise additional funds. Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo has publicly rejected links to Bayern Munich, while Alisson Becker has reaffirmed his commitment to Anfield, though he has started exploring his next steps, according to reports. Photo: IMAGO Slot's Tactical Evolution Demands Precision Slot's system hinges on high-intensity pressing and fluid attacking movement – a style tailor-made for someone like Wirtz. The German's numbers last season were staggering: 45 appearances, 16 goals and 15 assists. It's a clear statement of intent from Liverpool and an evolution from the more chaotic attacking presence of Nunez. Advertisement Wirtz also represents the most expensive German footballer ever, Bayer Leverkusen's record sale, and the Bundesliga's highest transfer fee to date. It is a transformative deal both on and off the pitch. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis There's a strange inevitability to Darwin Nunez's likely departure. His raw energy and unpredictability created moments of brilliance, but not the consistency a title-winning side demands. With Arne Slot at the helm and Liverpool now reigning champions again, the standards have shifted. Every decision must be calculated, and emotion cannot drive the future. Florian Wirtz is the opposite type of forward – intelligent, composed and ruthlessly efficient. He feels like a player designed for Slot's tactics. His arrival is exciting, but fans will rightly wonder if Liverpool will regret letting Nunez go just as he might have reached his peak. Advertisement The Ekitike interest is intriguing. He's younger, mouldable and potentially a better long-term fit. But can he adapt quickly enough to the Premier League, and will he thrive in the pressure cooker of Anfield? That remains a gamble. Harvey Elliott's frustration is understandable, and while it would hurt to lose a homegrown star, this is a ruthless business now. Wirtz's signing shows Liverpool's hand – trophies are the priority. And if the money from Saudi helps complete that vision, fans may just get behind it, however conflicted they feel.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool Welcomes New Maestro in Mega Transfer Move
Liverpool Welcomes New Maestro in Mega Transfer Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Liverpool's transfer move for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz is complete, with the clubs agreeing to a package of nearly €150m. Advertisement Wirtz, 22, made his debut for Leverkusen at 17 years old and has scored 57 goals in 197 games. He agreed to personal terms about two weeks ago, making him set for his medical and contract signing as each side came to a full agreement. The deal is now the largest transfer in Liverpool history, smashing Virgil Van Dijk's fee of £75m. The young German star is a dynamic attacking midfielder, bringing fabulous creativity to Liverpool's attack. He has a unique ability to find space between the lines with exceptional accuracy when passing the ball. Wirt'z versatility is evident. He can play as a No. 10, false nine, or winger and his work rate is awesome. He's constantly pressing the opposition and looking to create opportunities with his dribbling skills, adding a new dimension to Arne Slot's squad. Advertisement The fee makes him just the 10th player ever to go for £100m or more. It makes him the largest transfer in Premier League history, eclipsing Chelsea's record signing of £115m in 2023 for Moises Caicedo. Wirtz became a crucial piece for Germany during last year's Euros when he became the youngest ever to score for the national team at 21 years and 42 days. The previous record was held by Kai Havertz. Before joining Leverkusen's senior team, Wirtz showcased and developed his skills at 1. FC Köln's youth academy from 2010 to 2020. His rapid rise saw him debut for Leverkusen as a teenager, where he also broke a previous record held by Havertz, becoming the youngest Bundesliga player ever. Advertisement Wirtz's arrival at Liverpool marks an exciting new era for the Reds' attacking aspirations given his international background and quick ascension. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
