GM's legal team targeted in federal probe of faulty ignition switches

[unhappycamper]

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-gm-legal-department-probe-20140822-story.html



GM's legal team targeted in federal probe of faulty ignition switches
By Jerry Hirsch
8.22.2014

The Department of Justice is investigating whether the legal department of General Motors Co. concealed evidence from safety regulators about defective ignition switches that have been linked to at least 13 deaths and more than 50 crashes.

General Motors confirmed the investigation and said it was cooperating with authorities.

Several other inquiries may also examine whether members of GM’s legal team hid information about problems with 2.6 million older Chevrolet Cobalts, Saturn Ions and other small cars from safety officials and higher management at the automaker.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Congress also are looking into why GM delayed recalling the vehicles until earlier this year even though some of its employees knew about the problem for at least a decade.

[littlemissmartypants]

1. Kicking. Thank you. nt

[John1956PA]

2. GM lengthened the detent spring and plunger but kept the same part number for the switch.

From http://www.ibtimes.com/gm-recall-2014-pictures-tiny-ignition-switch-part-could-cost-general-motors-dearly-photos-1561011 :

Evidence is mounting that GM engineers were aware of a problem as far back as 2004, enough so that the part in question was quietly tweaked later to add that 1.6 millimeters of length to a component that holds the ignition key in place.

GM is trying to escape liability under the theory that its bankruptcy serves as a bar to same. The individuals in the legal department may not have any such defense.