Orange County District Attorney Sues Toyota

March 12, 2010 (by Horatio Algren) According to reports the Orange County District Attorney’s office is filing a civil suit against Toyota. It appears they will be using the private attorney general rules contained in California Business and Professions Code Section 17200 et seq.

Orange County California’s district attorney’s office filed a civil suit against Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc on Friday stating that the automaker endangered the public, while knowing about the defective vehicles they were selling. The suit also claims that the company was deceptive in hiding the defects from consumers.

The suit that has been filed against Toyota by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office has been filed approximately six months after the automaker began recalling a total of 8.5 million vehicles for unintended acceleration and brake system issues.

District Attorney Tony Rackauckas is believed to be the first district attorney to file a claim against Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. that is based in Torrance California and is the American division of the Japanese automaker.

The suit is outlined to “permanently commands Toyota to cease continued illegal, deceptive, unjust and fraudulent business practices. Each violation of the Unfair Business Practices Act the Orange County’s District Attorney’s Office is seeking penalties of is $2,500 and is in addition to other fees including investigation costs and attorney's fees.  Toyota injuries are mounting in the meantime.