The state of Georgia is set to receive more than $3.5 million from an international engineering company connected to the faulty diesel engines that cheated their way past emission standards.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is joining other attorneys general across the United States in suing global engineering firm Robert Bosch GmbH and its related company Robert Bosch, saying it provided the car computers and software that enabled the cheating in more than 600,000 engines sold by Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
The engines emitted more than the permitted levels of nitrogen oxides, a pollutant that causes serious health and environmental damage, the suit says. Bosch was aware of that, but during sales campaigns promoted its “clean diesel” technology, knowing results were false.
“The state of Georgia seeks to hold Bosch accountable for it’s unfair and deceptive conduct,” states the suit filed in Fulton Superior Court.
Also filed with the suit is a proposed consent judgment in which Bosch agrees to pay Georgia at least $3.5 million. A judge has not signed the consent agreement yet. The company will not have to admit to any factual or legal allegations. The document says Bosch is agreeing to identical judgments with each state, for a total payment of more than $98 million.
The company said in an emailed response to questions from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Bosch is cooperating with the continuing investigations in various jurisdictions, and is defending its interests in the litigation. As a matter of policy, and due to the sensitive legal nature of these matters, Bosch will not comment further concerning matters under investigation and in litigation.”
Bosch has already reached a class action settlement with car owners, paying $275 million.
The AJC reported earlier that the state could also get $1.6 million, and Georgians who bought one of 2,500 faulty vehicles sold here could get up to $3,000 from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
About the Author
