SAN FRANCISCO – A Texas man has filed a class-action lawsuit against a car manufacturer alleging that it knowingly violated U.S. environmental law by putting a "defeat device" in its cars that would temporarily reduce emissions in order to pass inspection.
Joseph L. Dunham filed a class-action lawsuit against Porsche Cars North America Inc. and Does 1 through 100 on Feb. 17 in the U.S. District Court Northern District of California, citing fraud and violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, unjust enrichment, breach of contract and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that he purchased a 2014 Porsche Cayenne Diesel Platinum Edition in May 2014 that was equipped with an emissions control "defeat device" from the defendant. The plaintiff holds Porsche Cars North America Inc. and Does 1 through 100 responsible because they allegedly manufactured automobiles with the device despite of the environmental laws in place. He alleges that he purchased the vehicle because of the defendant's statements that it was an "environmentally friendly" vehicle, and would not have purchased it if he had known of the defeat device, the suit states.
The plaintiff seeks the following: actual, statutory and punitive damages, attorneys' fees and court costs. He is represented by Adam C. McCall of Levi & Korsinsky LLP in Los Angeles and Lori G. Feldman, Courtney E. Maccarone, and Stephanie A. Bartone of Levi & Korsinsky LLP in New York, New York.
U.S. District Court Northern District of California Case number 3:16-cv-00794-CRB