LOS ANGELES – A Van Nuys man who leased a 2014 diesel Volkswagen Jetta alleges the vehicle was installed with a "defeat device" to pass emissions tests.
Steven Kadel filed a complaint on Feb. 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division against Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft and Volkswagen Group of America Inc., citing alleged breach of contract, breach of implied warranty, breach of contract, fraud, negligence and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that the vehicle was defective and that he will incur additional expenses in fuel costs. Kadel holds the defendants responsible because they allegedly manufactured the automobiles with the device despite of the environmental laws in place.
The plaintiff seeks the following: actual damages, restitution, punitive damages, attorney's fees and the cost of suit. He is represented by Stephen G. Recordon of Recordon & Recordon in San Diego.
U.S. District Court Central District of California, Western Division Case number 3:16-cv-01206-CRB