LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles man is suing car manufacturers over allegations they violated U.S. environmental law by putting a "defeat device" in cars so that they would temporarily reduce emissions in order to pass inspection.
Jose Chavez filed a complaint on Feb. 18 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 implied warranty, breach of contract, fraud and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that he purchased a 2009 diesel Jetta in April 2009 and that the car has a defeat device. The plaintiff holds Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft and Volkswagen Group of America Inc. responsible because the defendants allegedly manufactured vehicles with defeat devices despite of environmental laws in place.
The plaintiff seeks the following: restitution, punitive damages, attorney's fees and any other relief the court may deem proper. He is represented by Stephen G. Recordon of Recordon & Recordon in San Diego.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division Case number 3:16-cv-01218-CRB