« Back
 |
Orange County District Attorney
Press Release
|
FONT>
Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
|
For Immediate Release
Case # 30-2010-003529000
April 5, 2013
|
Contacts:
|
Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486
|
OCDA RACKAUCKAS ANNOUNCES CONSUMER PROTECTION SETTLEMENT OVER UNINTENDED ACCELERATION
Today Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas announced a multi-million dollar settlement with Toyota and its related North American entities over allegations the company concealed safety issues related to unintended acceleration in violation of California consumer protection laws.
Toyota will pay $16 million to settle consumer protection claims brought by the OCDA.
"The possibility of experiencing an unintended acceleration event during Toyota's recall crisis clearly scared many consumers," Rackauckas said. "This settlement is an important step in holding Toyota accountable for the safety and security of their customers."
The settlement provides that $8 million will be designated to be used by the Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP). OC GRIP is a partnership with the District Attorney's Office, Orange County Sheriff's Department, Orange County city police departments, the Department of Education and several private companies and churches, including the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chivas USA, Saddleback Church, Ford Motor Company, Ralphs grocery stores and others.
"OC GRIP works very effectively with kids, beginning in the fourth and fifth grades, to keep kids out of gangs. We use team work and incentives with kids who are at risk of becoming gang members to keep them in school, give them incentives and steer them away from the gang lifestyle. This has been a growing effort that is proving to help keep our community safe and create an environment of education and productivity for the good of the kids as well. This settlement with Toyota will benefit public safety by adding substantial momentum to this great movement," Rackauckas said.
$4 million of the settlement will be paid to the OCDA to pay the costs and fees, including those of outside counsel who assisted the OCDA, and the remainder will be paid to the OCDA to fight economic crime.
"Toyota has a major presence in Orange County where unintended acceleration events also occurred," Rackauckas stated. "Thus, as a law enforcement official, I had my office bring this action to ensure that Toyota is transparent about safety issues and fully complies with the law in the future."
In agreeing to the settlement, the OCDA also considered the portions of the proposed settlement of the economic loss class actions in In re: Toyota Motor Corp. Unintended Acceleration Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 8:1OML2151 JVS (FMOx) (C.D. Cal.) that include the installation of Brake Override Systems on eligible vehicles, as well as a Customer Support Program by which Toyota provides prospective coverage for certain repairs to identified vehicle components to Toyota vehicle owners or lessees, including those of Orange County and the State of California. The OCDA believes that these elements will enhance safety in their vehicles and are in the best interest of Toyota vehicle owners and lessees in Orange County and the State of California.
