A Louisiana woman and Mississippi man are suing Volkswagen, alleging their cars do not comply with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.
June Frechou, of Abita Springs, La., and Floyd Beck Warren, of Brookhaven, Miss., individually and for others similarly situated, filed a lawsuit Oct. 8 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Volkswagen Group of America Inc., alleging lack of compliance with EPA regulations.
According to the complaint, on Sept. 21, Volkswagen admitted their cars have been falsely bypassing emissions test through the installation of “defeat devices” designed to turn on emissions control systems only when the car senses it’s being tested.
The plaintiffs, owners of Volkswagen cars, allege as a result of this revelation, their vehicles were likely more expensive because of the false claims of good emissions and performance. Now that these allegations have come to light, their vehicles have greatly diminished in value, the suit says.
Fechou and Warren seek a class action case, declaration of financial responsibility from Volkswagen, and an order for Volkswagen to desist from future deceptive practices. They also seek unspecified damages for themselves and the class, rescission of sale for the affected vehicles, litigation costs and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
They are represented by attorneys Joseph F. Rice, Kevin R. Dean, Jodi Westbrook Flowers, and Matthew D. Camm, of Motley Rice in Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Gerald J. Diaz Jr. and James R. Segars III of The Diaz Law Firm in Madison, Miss.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-05034-EEF-JCW.