VW Pleads Guilty to 3 Felonies in Diesel Emission Scandal

As expected, Volkswagen AG pleaded guilty in a Detroit federal court on Friday to felony counts of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and using false statement to introduce imported merchandise.

VW tells Reuters the occasion marks the first time the carmaker has pleaded guilty to criminal conduct anywhere in the world.

The pleas are part of a $4.3 billion settlement announced in January to resolve civil and criminal charges. Under terms of the agreement, VW must cooperate with continuing U.S. investigations into criminal indictments against high-level VW managers, reform its emission certification procedures and agree to an independent monitor for at least three years.

But Judge Sean Cox, describing VW’s wrongdoing as “a very, very, very serious crime,” says he wants more time to consider a possible increase in the settlement’s fines and restitution payments. He will hold a hearing on the matter on April 21.

VW says it “deeply regrets the behavior that give rise to the diesel crisis” and declares it has taken “significant steps to strengthen accountability, increase transparency and transform our corporate culture.”