The language here is the problem. There was no "Verdict" - there was a settlement, and part of that settlement was creating EA. They didn't get "convicted" and then after that decide to comply with that conviction by creating EA. They specifically offered the creation of EA to the regulators as part of the overall settlement, and the regulators accepted that.
In the USA you don't get to get "convicted" of something and then go "umm, how about I create a electric car charging network instead of paying the EPA money?"
You can only have a "verdict" if the case goes to trial, and it did not in the VW case. VW settled with the EPA and CARB with a bunch of agreed actions, including EA, but also including stuff like recalling every car.