Associated Press – Toyota’s misleading statements presented a “reprehensible picture of corporate misconduct” as it failed to properly protect consumers from unexpected acceleration in its vehicles, a judge said as he nevertheless accepted a deal that lets the Japanese automaker escape prosecution with a $1.2 billion penalty.
Southern District Judge William H. Pauley III (See Profile) said the case showed that corporate fraud can kill. He also urged federal prosecutors to continue pursuing individuals who were behind the company’s actions after an acceleration problem stemming from ill-fitting floor mats attracted widespread publicity in 2009 when a family of four died in a San Diego crash.
