Oliver Schmidt, Volkswagen's former top U.S. compliance officer, received the maximum sentence Wednesday for his role in lying to federal regulators and in helping the automaker to hide its conspiracy to cheat on diesel emissions tests.

Schmidt, who pleaded guilty to two felonies in federal court in Detroit in August, was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison and a $400,000 fine by Judge Sean Cox of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Schmidt had sought a lower sentence of 40 months of supervised release and a $100,000 fine.

“Americans expect corporations to follow laws and regulations designed to protect consumers and the environment,” said a statement from FBI Special Agent in Charge David Gelios. “The sentence of Mr. Schmidt demonstrates the Department of Justice's commitment to hold companies that defraud their customers both personally, as well as corporately, accountable for their crimes.”

The Automotive News reported that Cox called Schmidt “a significant player” in VW's actions, which undermined the trust between buyers and sellers in the U.S. economy.

“You knowingly misled and lied to government officials. You actively participated in the destruction of evidence. You saw this massive cover-up as an opportunity … to advance your career at VW,” Cox was quoted as saying in the article.

Last January Volkswagen pleaded guilty to three criminal felony counts and agreed to pay $4.3 billion in criminal and civil penalties.

Oliver Schmidt, Volkswagen's former top U.S. compliance officer, received the maximum sentence Wednesday for his role in lying to federal regulators and in helping the automaker to hide its conspiracy to cheat on diesel emissions tests.

Schmidt, who pleaded guilty to two felonies in federal court in Detroit in August, was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison and a $400,000 fine by Judge Sean Cox of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Schmidt had sought a lower sentence of 40 months of supervised release and a $100,000 fine.

“Americans expect corporations to follow laws and regulations designed to protect consumers and the environment,” said a statement from FBI Special Agent in Charge David Gelios. “The sentence of Mr. Schmidt demonstrates the Department of Justice's commitment to hold companies that defraud their customers both personally, as well as corporately, accountable for their crimes.”

The Automotive News reported that Cox called Schmidt “a significant player” in VW's actions, which undermined the trust between buyers and sellers in the U.S. economy.

“You knowingly misled and lied to government officials. You actively participated in the destruction of evidence. You saw this massive cover-up as an opportunity … to advance your career at VW,” Cox was quoted as saying in the article.

Last January Volkswagen pleaded guilty to three criminal felony counts and agreed to pay $4.3 billion in criminal and civil penalties.