Oliver Schmidt, who served as Volkswagen’s general manager for three years in Auburn Hills, is currently jailed in a federal facility Milan while awaiting trial next month in Detroit Federal Court.
He hopes a court hearing today will clear the way for his being released on bond:
Schmidt is one of six VW employees indicted in January for creating software that was designed to defeat U-S emissions requirements.
He pled not guilty to the charges last month here in Detroit.
The German national was denied bond because he was seen as a flight risk.
His attorney has pointed out that the 48 year old Schmidt as met voluntarily with FBI agents on several occasions and has never tried to escape arrest.
In trying to be freed on bond, Schmidt is forfeiting his rights to property, cash and other assets valued at more than $1.3 million dollars.
Arguments for and against granting him bond are to be heard today in Detroit Federal Court before Judge Sean Cox.