VW engineer jailed for emissions scandal - BBC News
So VW asks an employee to design something and the engineer goes to jail, not the management?
Very wrong IMHO.
A former Volkswagen engineer who helped develop a device that enabled cars to evade US pollution rules has been sentenced to more than three years in prison and ordered to pay $200,000.
James Liang, 63, was the first person prosecuted in the emissions scandal.
The US investigation has led to charges against seven others in the US and sparked probes in other countries.
Volkswagen has admitted guilt, agreeing to spend as much as $25bn to address US claims.
Liang co-operated with prosecutors, who argued that his help with the investigation warranted a reduction in the possible punishment to three years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
But US District Court Judge Sean Cox opted for a harsher penalty of 40 months and a $200,000 penalty, saying he wanted to send a message to others in the car industry.
James Liang, 63, was the first person prosecuted in the emissions scandal.
The US investigation has led to charges against seven others in the US and sparked probes in other countries.
Volkswagen has admitted guilt, agreeing to spend as much as $25bn to address US claims.
Liang co-operated with prosecutors, who argued that his help with the investigation warranted a reduction in the possible punishment to three years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
But US District Court Judge Sean Cox opted for a harsher penalty of 40 months and a $200,000 penalty, saying he wanted to send a message to others in the car industry.
In a memo submitted to the court last week, prosecutors acknowledged that Liang did not "mastermind" the plan, but argued that he abdicated his responsibility to speak out.
Very wrong IMHO.
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