Politics & Government

Pa. Senator to DOJ: GM Needs to Compensate Recall Victims

In a letter to the attorney general, Casey says he "appalled and astonished" by GM's recent admission that it knew of the fatal defects prior to 2009.

Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey has joined four other lawmakers in calling for General Motors to establish a victims’ compensation fund in the wake of a massive recall stemming from faulty ignition mechanisms.

Senator Casey, along with Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Edward Markey (D-MA) on Friday penned a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging the Department of Justice push the auto maker to accept civil liability for the recall, which has been blamed for 13 deaths.

“GM must be held fully accountable for this recall and the lack of information given to the public,” Senator Casey said. “Establishing a victims compensation fund and accepting civil liability for what’s occurred would help deliver justice to these families so they can begin the process of healing from these terrible tragedies.”

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In the letter, the lawmakers say they are “appalled and astonished” by GM’s recent admission that it knew of the fatal defects prior to 2009.

“Their deliberate concealment caused continuing death and damage, and it constituted a fraud on the bankruptcy court that approved its reorganization. It also criminally deceived the United States government and the public,” the letter states.

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 “Given the crucial role the United States government played in creation of the current General Motors Corporation, we believe the federal government has a moral, if not legal, obligation to take all necessary steps to protect innocent consumers,” the letter states.


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