If you thought you'd heard the last of the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal, think again. Yes the one that dates back to 2015 when VW disclosed it cheated on diesel emissions testing by installing a defeat device in its vehicles.
Eight years later, the scandal is making headlines once again with VW and Audi agreeing to a $85 million settlement in principal with the State of Texas. The Texas State Attorney's office announced the settlement agreement in principle with Volkswagen and Audi last week. The $85 million is a civil penalty for violations of Texas environmental laws stemming from the nearly decade-old diesel cheating scandal.
“If a company thinks they will avoid accountability when they violate Texas laws, endanger Texans, and pollute our environment, they’re dead wrong. Volkswagen and Audi are finding that out the hard way, and now they are paying the price,” said Texas State Attorney General Paxton. “Not only did they break our environmental laws by employing illegal technology, but they also tried to avoid responsibility in Texas courts. My office successfully stopped those efforts. Now, we are taking the next step in enforcing the law. This settlement in principle will help guarantee that tens of millions of dollars are made available to benefit Texans, and it will send a clear signal discouraging any company contemplating illegal activity in the Lone Star State.”
The announcement comes after earlier in May, the Texas Supreme Court ruled the Texas environmental lawsuit against Volkswagen and Audi could move forward.
