Four former Volkswagen managers have been convicted in a German court for their roles in manipulating diesel emissions controls, with two receiving prison sentences in a decisive judgment nearly a decade after the scandal first erupted.

At a Glance

• German court convicted four former Volkswagen managers for fraud related to emissions test manipulation
• Former head of diesel development sentenced to four and a half years in prison
• Head of drive train electronics received two years and seven months behind bars
• Two other managers received suspended sentences of 15 and 10 months
• Volkswagen has paid more than $33 billion in fines and compensation since the scandal began in 2015

Court Delivers Justice in Long-Running Emissions Scandal

A Frankfurt court has handed down convictions against four former Volkswagen managers for their involvement in the infamous diesel emissions scandal that has plagued the German automaker for nearly a decade. The court’s decision represents a significant milestone in the ongoing legal fallout from one of the most costly corporate scandals in automotive history.

This judgment comes after years of investigations into how the company systematically deceived regulators and consumers about diesel engine emissions through specially designed software that activated only during emissions testing.

The former head of diesel development received the harshest sentence of four and a half years in prison, while the head of drive train electronics was sentenced to two years and seven months behind bars. Two additional managers received suspended sentences of 15 months and 10 months respectively.

These convictions demonstrate the German judicial system’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for corporate fraud that had global environmental and economic consequences.

CONVICTED & SENTENCED: A German court on Monday convicted four former Volkswagen managers of fraud and gave two of them prison sentences for their part in the manipulation of emissions controls. https://t.co/tOIu1En3Yp

— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) May 26, 2025

The Scandal’s Origins and Global Impact

The emissions scandal first came to light in September 2015 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice of violation against Volkswagen. Investigators discovered that the company had installed “defeat devices” in millions of diesel vehicles worldwide. These sophisticated software systems could detect when a vehicle was undergoing emissions testing and would temporarily adjust the engine’s performance to meet regulatory standards. During normal driving conditions, however, the vehicles would emit pollutants far exceeding legal limits.

The financial consequences for Volkswagen have been severe, with the company paying more than $33 billion in fines and compensation globally. The scandal has also resulted in criminal convictions in multiple countries. In the United States, two Volkswagen managers were sentenced to prison terms, highlighting the international nature of the legal proceedings against company officials involved in the deception. These penalties underscore the high cost of corporate malfeasance when it comes to environmental regulations.

A German court has convicted four former Volkswagen managers of fraud and gave two of them prison sentences for their part in the manipulation of emissions controls. https://t.co/DlWGZ7deFL

— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) May 26, 2025

Ongoing Legal Proceedings Against Other Executives

The recent convictions represent just one part of a much broader legal effort to hold Volkswagen officials accountable. Former Audi division head Rupert Stadler received a suspended sentence of 21 months and was ordered to pay a fine of 1.1 million euros, though this judgment is currently subject to appeal.

Meanwhile, the trial of former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn has been suspended due to health issues. Winterkorn continues to deny any wrongdoing despite having led the company during the period when the emissions cheating was implemented.

German prosecutors have not concluded their investigation into the scandal, with proceedings still open against 31 additional suspects. This indicates that the legal consequences of the emissions fraud will continue to unfold for years to come. The ongoing nature of these investigations demonstrates the complexity of the case and the determination of authorities to fully examine the extent of the deception that occurred within one of Germany’s most prominent corporations.