Category Archives: litigation

SEC Gets Final Judgment Against Volkswagen on Dieselgate

The final judgment orders VWGOAF to pay $34.35 million in disgorgement and $14.4 million in prejudgment interest. Following the entry of the final judgment, the SEC dismissed its outstanding claims against VWGOAF’s ultimate parent company, Volkswagen AG, and Volkswagen AG’s former CEO, Martin Winterkorn. The Court had previously dismissed the SEC’s claims against VW Credit, Inc. on 20 August 2020. These actions have resolved the SEC’s case against Volkswagen in its entirety. Continue reading

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UAW Files Anti-Labor Charges in Germany Against Mercedes

“MBUSI’s actions not only violate U.S., German and international law, they also violate Mercedes-Benz’s Principles of Social Responsibility and Human Rights. Those principles state: In the event of organization campaigns, the company and its executives shall remain neutral; the trade unions and the company will ensure that employees can make an independent decision” the UAW said. 

“Mercedes-Benz’s aggressive anti-union campaign against U.S. autoworkers in Alabama is a clear human rights violation under the German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains. If found guilty, Mercedes-Benz faces billions in penalties, including significant fines and bans on government contracts,” the UAW said. Continue reading

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Workers File Union Busting Charges Against Mercedes-Benz

Workers at Mercedes-Benz’s largest U.S. plant have filed multiple federal charges with the National Labor Relations Board over allegations that the German company is using aggressive and illegal union-busting. tactics Workers are requesting an injunction to put an end to the company’s retaliation against workers In February, Mercedes workers announced that a majority of their coworkers at the Mercedes plant in Vance had signed union authorization cards. Every Mercedes plant in the world is unionized—except the company’s two plants in the United States. Continue reading

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EPA Issues PFAS Test Order with Immediate Effect

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today has issued its fourth Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) test order requiring testing on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy. The order requires the 3M Company and Wacker Chemical Corporation to conduct and submit testing on the physical-chemical properties of NMeFOSE,* Chemical Abstract Service Reference Number: 24448-09-7, including testing on the health effects following its inhalation. Continue reading

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EPA Finalizes Vehicle Pollution Standards for 2027-32

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced final national pollution standards for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032 and beyond. The standards will have significant effects on the types of vehicles available, how much they cost to buy, own and operate, as well as the economy and public health in a politically dysfunctional country. Let the lawsuits commence, particularly from anti-environmentalists, the Republican party, and fossil fuel funded groups.

“With transportation as the largest source of U.S. climate emissions, these strongest-ever pollution standards for cars solidify America’s leadership in building a clean transportation future and creating good-paying American jobs, all while advancing President Biden’s historic climate agenda,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “The standards will slash over 7 billion tons of climate pollution, improve air quality in overburdened communities, and give drivers more clean vehicle choices while saving them money. Under President Biden’s leadership, this Administration is pairing strong standards with historic investments to revitalize domestic manufacturing, strengthen domestic supply chains and create good-paying jobs.” Continue reading

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EPA Finally Bans Chrysotile Asbestos

“Today’s rule is a positive first step to give all Americans a future free of exposure to asbestos – a carcinogen that has killed far too many. This dangerous substance has been banned in more than 50 countries around the world, and the United States is finally starting to catch up. An immediate ban on the import of chrysotile asbestos for the chlor-alkali industry is a long overdue step forward for public health. However, it cannot be the end of the road when it comes to phasing out other dangerous asbestos fibers, and Congress has a role to play here when it comes to providing stronger protections for our health,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. Continue reading

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Cummins Settles California Diesel Emissions Case at $46M

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced a $46 million settlement with engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. The settlement resolves DOJ and CARB’s claims for violations of California engine emissions control and certification requirements. Cummins made undisclosed changes to ~120,000 engines in California after CARB had certified the engines for sale. In addition, ~2000 Cummins engines had undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices that altered the emissions control system and resulted in emissions that exceeded regulatory limits. This case signals CARB’s improving vehicle testing skills and use of technology to catch and correct air quality violations. Continue reading

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Cummins Diesel Penalties  Finalized in $1.675B Settlement

“Cummins installed illegal defeat devices on more than 600,000 RAM pickup trucks, which exposed overburdened communities across America to harmful air pollution,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Continue reading

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Cummins to Pay $1.675B for Clean Air Act Violations

“Today, the Justice Department reached an initial agreement with Cummins Inc. to settle claims that, over the past decade, the company unlawfully altered hundreds of thousands of engines to bypass emissions tests in violation of the Clean Air Act. As part of the agreement, the Justice Department will require Cummins to pay $1.675 billion, the largest civil penalty we have ever secured under the Clean Air Act, and the second largest environmental penalty ever secured,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. Continue reading

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EPA Fines Calumet Montana Refining for Chemical Abuses

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as entered into a Clean Air Act settlement where Calumet Montana Refining will pay a $385,000 penalty and address violations of Risk Management Program (RMP) requirements at its petroleum refining facility in Great Falls, Montana.

“Facilities must properly handle hazardous substances to prevent dangerous chemical accidents and follow reporting requirements when releases occur,” said Suzanne Bohan, director of EPA Region 8’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “If they don’t, EPA will hold them accountable. We are pleased that Calumet Montana Refining is implementing critical safety measures to protect workers and the community.” Continue reading

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Briggs and Stratton Settles With CARB For Off-Road Emissions

The California Air Resources Board has reached a settlement agreement with Briggs and Stratton of Milwaukee, WI., a significant producer of engines for outdoor power equipment, for $117,314. This was for the company’s violations of the Small Off-Road Engine (SORE) Regulation. The regulation limits emissions of oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons from spark-ignited, small off-road engines, including those found in landscape equipment, small power tools, and portable generators. Continue reading

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Tether Cyber Scam ~$9M in Crypto Seized by DOJ

The US Justice Department (DOJ) today announced the seizure of ~$9 million worth of Tether, a cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar. These seized funds were traced to cryptocurrency addresses allegedly associated with an organization that exploited more than 70 victims through romance scams and cryptocurrency confidence scams, widely known as “pig butchering.” Continue reading

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Coffeyville Resources Refining Fined $23 Million for Pollution

“The settlement with Coffeyville delivers on the promise of EPA’s new climate enforcement strategy by reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of 10,000 cars,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “In addition, the actions we are taking alongside our state partners in Kansas will reduce harmful air pollution that makes breathing more difficult and causes smog, acid rain, and tree and plant damage.” Continue reading

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New Circus Ringmaster at Cruise Autonomous Vehicles

Well, it seems that the discovery that Cruise altered released accident footage to eliminate one of its accident vehicles dragging a pedestrian with it as it continued to run (drive away?) has moved the normally buttoned-down GM safety culture and it people to the verge of, well, annoyance. So send in the lawyers to monitor the California clowns starting with Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt. Continue reading

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New York Auto Repair Shop Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud

If convicted, Strocchia faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Continue reading

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