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Hearing to determine if top Volkswagen executive could get released from custody

Posted at 8:25 AM, Mar 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-16 08:26:05-04

Today, we could be learning if one of Volkswagen's top executives will get released from custody pending trial in the company's emissions case.

Oliver Schmidt, who worked as a general manager for Volkswagen in Auburn Hills from 2012 to 2015, is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States government, violating the air quality act and wire fraud.

A hearing will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday at federal court in downtown Detroit, where a judge will hear arguments of whether or not Schmidt should be released from custody.

If Schmidt is convicted of the crimes he's accused of, he could spend up to 20 years in prison. He is one of six people who work or have worked for Volkswagen who are charged in this emissions scandal case.