Volkswagen engineer pleads guilty in emissions case, will cooperate

DETROIT, MI -- A Volkswagen engineer has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in the company's emissions cheating scandal.

James Robert Liang of Newberry Park, California, entered the plea Friday in U.S. District Court in Detroit.

A Justice Department official says Liang will cooperate in the ongoing investigation.

Liang, 62, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and another count of violating the Clean Air Act. He allegedly helped design the computer software that allowed certain Volkswagen and Audi vehicles with diesel engines to cheat on emissions tests.