10:07 am, March 10, 2017
VOLKSWAGEN AG is expected to plead guilty to three felony counts later today in the United States Justice Department’s investigation into diesel emissions, in what is thought to be an unprecedented case.
The charges include conspiracy to commit fraud, obstruction of justice and entry of goods by false statements.
In January, VW agreed a plea deal with US prosecutors which would see huge reforms for the company, new audits and an independent monitor overseeing operations for three years.
The carmaker will be brought before the US District Court in Detroit, where a company lawyer is set to plead guilty on their behalf to the charges. It is not known whether it will be formally sentenced today.
A court filing on Monday from the US Justice Department said this was ‘one of the largest corporate fraud schemes in the history of the United States’, according to Reuters.
Already the company has agreed to pay $4.3 billion (£3.5bn) in US civil and criminal fines, while the cost to address claims from owners, environment agencies and dealers will amount to $25bn (£20.5bn).
MORE: Two million British Volkswagen customers could be eligible for a payout
MORE: Scope of probe into dieselgate scandal is extended by German prosecutors
MORE: SMMT steps in to defend diesel in air quality debate
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