LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced Dec. 20 an additional $66 million settlement with Volkswagen.
The settlement stems from an ongoing case involving “defeat device” software. Volkswagen allegedly violated California’s environmental laws by using these devices to bypass emissions controls in its Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche 3.0-liter diesel vehicles.
The $66 million will be put toward mitigating environmental harm with $25 million used to provide incentives for the purchase of zero emission vehicles. The funds are part of a $225 million nationwide agreement.
Harris’ office negotiated this settlement along with the California Air Resources Board, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The agreement represents the third partial settlement with Volkswagen after the $14.7 billion agreement VW made with the United States, of which $1.18 billion went to California, plus a $86 million civil penalty settlement California obtained from the company.
“Volkswagen exploited Californians seeking environmentally friendly vehicles, harming consumers and our environment in pursuit of profit,” Harris said. “We will continue to pursue every possible avenue to hold Volkswagen accountable for violating our environmental protection laws, mitigate the damage that was done, and secure relief and compensation for consumers who were deceived.”