Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP and Cooper & Kirk, PLLC File A Class Action Lawsuit Against Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. on Behalf of "Clean Diesel" Car Owners and Lessees In The Eastern District of Virginia
RADNOR, Pa., Sept. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firms of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP ("Kessler Topaz") and Cooper & Kirk, PLLC ("Cooper & Kirk") have filed a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. ("Volkswagen" or the "Company") relating to the recent recall of certain Volkswagen and Audi "Clean Diesel" automobiles.
Owners or lessees of the following new or pre-owned affected vehicles with 2.0-liter diesel engines are encouraged to contact Kessler Topaz to discuss their legal rights and interests:
- Jetta (model years 2009 – 2015)
- Jetta Sportwagen (model years 2009-2014)
- Beetle (model years 2009 – 2015)
- Beetle Convertible (model years 2012-2015)
- Audi A3 (model years 2009 – 2015)
- Golf (model years 2009 – 2015)
- Golf Sportwagen (model year 2015)
- Passat (model years 2012 – 2015)
Kessler Topaz and Cooper & Kirk have been contacted by hundreds of Volkswagen and Audi owners and lessees concerning Volkswagen's admitted manipulation of emission testing results in its so-called "Clean Diesel" vehicles.
As detailed in the class action complaint, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") recently accused Volkswagen of unlawfully using special software that circumvents EPA emissions standards for air pollutants being emitted by the Company's "Clean Diesel" cars. Specifically, the EPA alleges that Volkswagen utilized a "defeat device" on certain Volkswagen and Audi vehicles to detect when the car is undergoing official emissions testing in order to engage full emissions controls. At all other times, the purportedly "Clean Diesel" cars were emitting upwards of 40 times the EPA allowable emission of highly toxic pollutants. Volkswagen has admitted to using such "defeat devices" to evade air pollution tests.
On Friday, September 18, 2015, Volkswagen was directed to recall nearly 500,000 vehicles with the alleged illegal software in its diesel-powered cars that evade emissions standards. Volkswagen also halted U.S. sales of all models that are powered by its four-cylinder TDI diesel engine, which is at the center of the controversy. This includes not only new 2015 and 2016 model-year vehicles, but also all certified pre-owned TDI models that are in dealer inventory. On September 21, 2015, sources within the United States Department of Justice ("Justice Department") confirmed that the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division is conducting a criminal probe of Volkswagen.
Most recently, on September 23, 2015, Volkswagen AG, Volkswagen Group of America's parent company, announced the resignation of its Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") Martin Winterkorn, who served as Volkswagen AG's CEO since 2007. The Company also suggested that the "defeat device" software could be present in upwards of 11 million vehicles worldwide.
Kessler Topaz partners Naumon A. Amjed, Esq. and Peter A. Muhic, Esq. along with David H. Thompson, Esq. from Cooper & Kirk are leading the firms' litigation team in the action against Volkswagen.
If you purchased or currently own or lease one of the affected vehicles detailed above, and would like to discuss your legal rights or are interested with respect to the class action lawsuit, please contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (James A. Maro, Esq. or Adrienne O. Bell, Esq.) at (888) 299-7706 or (610) 667-7706, or via e-mail at [email protected].
You may view a full list of the vehicles that are affected by the recall and request more information about our investigation online at www.ktmc.com/volkswagen-audi-diesel-recall.
Kessler Topaz prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country. The firm represents investors, consumers and whistleblowers (private citizens who report fraudulent practices against the government and share in the recovery of government dollars). Kessler Topaz has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of institutional and individual investors as well as consumers from the United States and around the world. For more information about Kessler Topaz please visit http://www.ktmc.com.
Cooper & Kirk prosecutes large scale, high profile cases throughout the country. The firm has recovered billions of dollars on behalf its clients in a wide range of matters. For more information about Cooper & Kirk, please visit http://www.cooperkirk.com.
CONTACT:
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
James A. Maro, Esq.
Adrienne O. Bell, Esq.
280 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
(888) 299-7706 or (610) 667-7706
[email protected]
http://www.ktmc.com
SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
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