A Volkswagen engineer has received a stiffer-than-expected sentence for his role in the Dieselgate saga – James Liang has been slapped with a 40-month sentence and a US$200,000 (RM853,032) fine for his role in the emissions scandal which has blighted the German automaker group over the past two years.
Liang, 63, is the first person in the scandal sentenced to federal prison, according to The Detroit News. He helped devise the software for the emissions defeat devices, and subsequently struck a plea deal with prosecutors in September for his help in unraveling the scandal.
“It sends a very strong message to them that they better stay safely in Germany. We haven’t seen many individuals being held responsible for corporate misconduct, so this is one of those rare cases,” said Peter Henning, Wayne State University law professor and former federal prosecutor.
The sentence meted out was harsher than even the prosecutors recommended, which was for a three-year sentence and a $20,000 (RM85,303) fine. The tough sentence makes it more likely that VW executives indicted earlier this year will remain in Germany in order to avoid further action, the report added.
“The conspiracy perpetrated a massive and stunning fraud on the American consumer that attacked and destroyed the very foundation of our economic system. Your cooperation and regret is noted, but it doesn’t excuse your conduct,” Cox told engineer Liang.
Aiding the company’s recovery process will be the Strategy 2025 vision it unveiled in the middle of last year, which will see the company invest billions in the coming years into electrification, autonomous driving and mobility services.
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Kambing Hitam.
Not really fair for VW.
U S boleh.
RM 853 K or RM 85 K ?? that title..fuu, menangis kalau kena denda
not a typo bro
you know you are cheating, you must be well-aware of the consequences.
this guy took the gamble, he won initially but not too long the people outside discovered they are cheating. So pay your dues lorr
The guy din took a gamble. VW took the gamble.
The guy just so happens to be working for VW.
This article is not accurate. If you read the International reports. He was the key person behind the development of the cheat device. Aldo the US was leading the proescution and investigation, not Germany. So yes he is guilty and not a cover up or victimisation as some selective Malaysians seem to believe.
Such a highly organised and structured company such as VW does NOT depend on 1 man decision even if its CEOs. He may have develop the system, but surely someones high up decided to use it.
Is a swordmaker guilty just cuz a samurai uses his creation?
P1’s Windowgate ok ajer.
This is hilarious XD
VW scapegoat
kambing hitam with chinese name somemore..not a hint of german. it seem they telling you, oh yes german company doing fraud but actually an asean background guy leading the fraud hence german people not normally do fraud..
agree with you, ryan. furthermore, he is 63 years old goat. 40 months sentence for an elderly white collar criminal, pray hard for him for his survival in the federal prison.
In big scandals like this, big corporation always find a scapegoat to prove to the world that they are “clean” and have eliminate a the root cause of the problem. In actual, the problem lies no just on a person but as a collective voice in a project. Every one knows blame is push from one person to another and “buat tak tau” when things happen. This culture boils down to the core culture in the company. Never work for company like this.
This is ridiculous, how about the big boss that made the decision?
What? For Fun? Without the direction from the big boss, engineers will not do that! Shame on the Nazz.
Who is Cox? Or did i not read this correctly
To awg1031. U are right. I’m surprised that no one corrected the mistake until now. 40 months is more than 3 yrs & US200k is RM853k.
In short, Mr Liang who subsequently struck a “plea bargain” deal with prosecutors for his help in unraveling the scandal got the shorter end of the stick when he was slapped with a stiffer-than-expected sentence.
I was surprised that a Chinese American could lead the development, instead of a German or native American, consider the fact that this is VW, not Geely or Dodge.
This is very common for someone to take the blame instead of the whole organization. Just to show the world that someone is at fault not the company. VW gets to continue doing their business and this Chinese chap will get a fair compensation when he finishes his sentence. Simple as that.
SCAPEGOAT!!!!
While the real culprits are free.
No way an engineer can be guilty, of course the entire board has to give the consent. Sad really