Prosecutor suing Toyota over defects


March 13, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

SANTA ANA, Calif.

The Orange County district attorney has filed a lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corp., accusing the automaker of knowingly selling hundreds of thousands of vehicles with acceleration defects.

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said at a news conference Friday that his office has the right to bring consumer-protective action on behalf of Orange County residents.

Toyota spokesman Mike Michels said he had no comment because the company hasn’t been served with the lawsuit.

At least 89 class-action lawsuits have been filed against the Japanese automaker, which could cost the company $3 billion or more.

Orange County’s lawsuit accuses Toyota of using deceptive business practices to become the world’s top automaker. The suit seeks civil penalties of $2,500 per violation under the Unfair Business Practices Act.

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