States, Including Md., Suing Volkswagen Over Emissions Cheating
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Maryland is one of three states suing Volkswagen over allegations the automaker skirted misled consumers and skirted state environmental laws by outfitting its diesel vehicles with devices to conceal just how much pollution the vehicles were pumping out.
The automaker is cooperating with the federal government. But Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh isn't satisfied with a nearly $15 billion fine imposed on Volkswagen, saying the punishment doesn't quite fit the crime.
"They knew what they were doing was illegal," Frosh said at a news conference.
While Volkswagen was manufacturing its diesel vehicles, and those of Audi and Porsche, it also equipped with them with software designed to fool emissions testers into thinking the exhaust met U.S. standards. It didn't.
"Even when they got caught, they continued for a year and a half to deny they were cheating," Frosh told reporters.
The lawsuit filed by his office seeks $25,000 for each of the roughly 13,000 affected Volkswagen vehicles registered in the state of Maryland. That's on top of the $71 million the state is due to receive as part of the federal settlement.
Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles said Maryland's share of the settlement will be invested in repairing the state's environment, but he too contended that the automaker needs to be held accountable to the full extent of the law. "That will be important to us, but the fundamental point here is the federal settlement is not the be all end all.
In a statement, Volkswagen acknowledged the allegations raised in the complaint are not new, but said it is "regrettable that some states have decided to sue for environmental claims now," despite its cooperation with the federal government.
What Volkswagen really regrets, Frosh said, is getting caught. "I'm sure they feel terrible that they got caught," he said. "Their deceptions have been multiple."
Gov. Larry Hogan's Office said the automaker needs to clean up its act.
New York and Massachusetts have also filed suit.
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