Recent news reports indicate that Toyota received a grand jury subpoena from a federal court in New York seeking documents over the unintended acceleration in recalled vehicles and other documents.
Also it is reported that Toyota received a subpoena from the SEC last week.
The real uproar stems from reported allegations that internal documents may infer that Toyota has put profits ahead of American's safety related to a negotiation Toyota had with the government over an investigation.
A former attorney for the automaker has alleged in a lawsuit that Toyota concealed evidence, destroyed data and conspired to obstruct justice in defending itself against injury lawsuits involving vehicle rollover, it has been reported. Just more bad news for Toyota in what has boiled down in the last few months to a public relations nightmare.
While recent television adds by Toyota focus on a responsible and safe image, the negative news reports keep chipping away at it's a long and prosperous track record.
Other auto manufacturers have been the subject to claims of concealed evidence in the past from former employees, and when the allegations become known and if verified the automakers tend to face increased scrutiny from both Federal and State Courts and that can impact claims against Toyota in unintended acceleration lawsuits.
With anticipated testimony to congress over safety issues it looks like the fireworks are set to blow and, in my opinion, the fallout will and should include regulators who were charged with responsibility of protecting Americans. Its one thing to blame Toyota for its actions but the buck should not stop there- if regulators are more interested in appeasing manufacturers than protecting the public- we need to redefine their roles.
Numerous personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits have recently been filed against Toyota.
