Exclusive: Prosecutors' case against GM focuses on misleading statements

Reuters ^ | July 14, 2014 | Emily Flitter & Karen Freifeld

[jazusamo]

(Reuters) - Federal prosecutors are developing a criminal fraud case hinged on whether General Motors made misleading statements about a deadly ignition switch flaw, and are examining activity dating back a decade, before GM's 2009 bankruptcy, according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation.

At the same time, at least a dozen states are investigating the automaker. Two state officials said that effort is likely to focus on whether GM broke consumer protection laws.

Both federal and state investigations into the switch, which is linked to at least 13 deaths and 54 crashes, are at early stages, and it is possible that cases may not be brought.

Sources said federal criminal prosecutors are working on a set of mail and wire fraud charges, similar to the criminal case Toyota Motor Corp settled earlier this year over misleading statements it made to American consumers and regulators about two different problems that caused cars to accelerate even as drivers tried to slow down.

Delphi Automotive, the maker of the GM switch, is not a target of criminal charges, the people said, because it did not make substantial public statements about the safety of the vehicles or the part. That would make it difficult to build a case under the main federal fraud laws, the wire and mail fraud statutes.

Greg Martin, a spokesman for GM, said his company continued to work with investigators, declining to comment further, and a spokeswoman for Delphi said the company had been told it was not a target of investigations and was working cooperatively with all government officials. A spokesman for Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who is leading the criminal probe, declined to comment.

[jazusamo]

GM troubles are not over by a long shot.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

They’d have been much better off going through bankruptcy.

[circlecity]

"GM troubles are not over by a long shot."

Between this, the cost of the millions of recalls and the "government moter" alienation of millions of customers I just don't see GM making it.

[BitWielder1]

Government Motors behaving like the Government? What a big surprise! /s

[EQAndyBuzz]

“Reuters) - Federal prosecutors are developing a criminal fraud case hinged on whether General Motors made misleading statements about a deadly ignition switch flaw, and are examining activity dating back a decade, before GM’s 2009 bankruptcy, according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation.”

In other words, how can we blame this on George Bush?

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Obama will pardon them.

[jazusamo]

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[reefdiver]

I don't either, the cost of these awards in the end will price their cars out of the marketplace. The Buick SUV is just to expensive when you compare it to the Hyundai. The 100,000 mile warranty is hard to walk away from as well. I just don't see GM competing in the marketplace I think they will be broken up an sold