US seeks prison sentence for VW engineer in diesel scandal
DETROIT — U.S. prosecutors will seek a three-year prison sentence on Friday for a Volkswagen engineer who had a key role in the company’s diesel emissions scandal.
Robert Liang, 63, was one of two VW employees to plead guilty in the scheme, although others charged in the case are in Germany and out of reach. He is scheduled to be sentenced Friday in federal court in Detroit.
Prosecutors said Liang was aware that VW used software to cheat U.S. emission rules on nearly 600,000 diesel vehicles. His lawyer said he’s not “greedy or immoral” but followed orders to keep his job and support his family.
Liang has asked the judge to consider a sentence of probation and 1,500 hours of community service. The government said Liang wasn’t the mastermind but took part in “pivotal events.”