Ex-VW Manager Released Early From Diesel-Rigging Prison Term

  • Schmidt received seven years from U.S. court in diesel case
  • He was freed shortly after being tranferred to a German prison

Oliver Schmidt in undated booking photo.

Source: Broward Sheriff's Office
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Former Volkswagen AG executive Oliver Schmidt, whose 2017 arrest at the Miami airport made global headlines, was released from prison after serving a bit more than half his sentence on charges related to the diesel-emissions scandal.

A ruling issued by a court in the German city of Lueneburg allowed Schmidt to be released on parole, his lawyer, Alexander Saettele, said Wednesday. Schmidt, 52, had been sentenced to seven years by a U.S. court but was allowed to return to his home country in November to serve the remainder of his term.