
Former UAW President Gary Jones, left, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty of fraud. On open issue is GM’s federal racketeering lawsuit against FCA and former FCA executives who previously have pled guilty in the federal corruption probe.
United States Attorney Matthew Schneider announced today that an agreement has been reached with the United Auto Workers Union to resolve the Eastern District of Michigan findings of fraud and corruption within the UAW. The parties also jointly filed a proposed Consent Order setting forth the terms of a settlement of the lawsuit.
The proposed settlement – subject to Court approval – fully and finally resolves the criminal and civil investigation of the UAW as an entity. The UAW also agrees to resolve a tax investigation by making a payment of $1.5 million to the Internal Revenue Service in connection with administrative fees that the union received from the three joint training centers that were operated with the FCA, Ford and GM.
In a partial UAW victory, the civil lawsuit was not filed under the federal anti-racketeering RICO law because the investigation by the United States did not uncover any involvement by organized crime or the mafia in the operations of the UAW. Instead, the civil complaint sets forth in detail a series of corrupt and fraudulent acts by former officers and board members of the UAW, as well as executives of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The status of another RICO suit by GM related to the UAW corruption matter (updated 15 Dec) is GM’s federal racketeering lawsuit against FCA and former FCA executives is: “GM’s suit is ongoing. It’s directed against FCA, as well as individuals (Ashton, Iacobelli – both are in prison) who are former executives,” said David Caldwell of GM.
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Lyft and Motional to Deploy Fully Self-Driving Vehicles in 2023
We will see…
Lyft with Motional said today they will launch their fully driverless vehicles on the Lyft network in 2023 in multiple US cities. This is the first promised deployment partnership between a rideshare company and a driverless technology provider for transportation. Motional will develop and manage the fleet of driverless cars with an” integrated driverless system with no one behind the wheel, while Lyft will provide the “rideshare network and rider experience.”
Lyft with abundant self-interest and General Motors backing claims a rideshare network is “vastly important to making AVs become a reality.” This thesis in search of proof will balance AVs operating on Lyft’s network with human drivers and other options including bikes, scooters, and transit. Lyft claims it can ensure riders always have reliable transportation options regardless of where they need to travel. Lyft also claims that riders want a ride to arrive within minutes of requesting one and it’ll take years for AVs to reach the scale and technological sophistication needed to meet this service level for all ride scenarios. Rideshare networks might be where riders experience self-driving technology for the first time. Continue reading →