Newly Revealed Documents Linked To GM Ignition Recall Contradict Valukas Report

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Previously confidential documents linked to the General Motors February 2014 ignition recall will give plaintiffs more ammunition for their lawsuits.

According to Automotive News, the documents were unveiled after GM settled last week with Ken and Beth Melton for a second time over the death of their daughter Brooke through the compensation fund administered by attorney Kenneth Feinberg, per attorneys Lance Cooper and Jere Beasley.

However, those documents — which includes communications between the automaker and its lawyers — contradict the conclusions found in the report published by attorney and independent investigator Anton Valukas, which stated that “incompetence and neglect — not an intentional effort to conceal” the ignition switch problems led to the recall last year after a decade of inaction.

As a result, Cooper and Beasley will begin deposing “all important General Motors witnesses” linked to the recall this May, including all current and former execs and employees.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Nick Nick on Mar 17, 2015

    So, I imagine that everyone that has previously settled can legally nullify those agreements and reopen their suits? Any attorneys in the room?

    • Jpolicke Jpolicke on Mar 17, 2015

      I'm not an attorney, but I'm not sure it matters to the plaintiffs. It's already been established with what information was already out there that the switches were defective to the point of lethality. How do you make a completely worthless part more worthless? I wonder if these new documents reveal a level of prior knowledge that could open the door to criminal negligence charges being filed. What baffles me is how GM continues to be #1 in US market share.

  • Mason Mason on Mar 17, 2015

    Only GM could keep such documentation confidential during such a high profile case this long. They've become the face of corruption and scandalism in my eyes, and one of a handful of reasons there will never be another GM product in my driveway again. (I know, I know, who cares)

  • PonchoIndian PonchoIndian on Mar 17, 2015

    How can anyone make an educated comment on this without seeing or at least hearing what is in these documents?

    • See 1 previous
    • PonchoIndian PonchoIndian on Mar 17, 2015

      @duncanator I know I know. I was on the internet before there was an "internet" yet I am still saying stupid stuff like that.

  • Mason Mason on Mar 17, 2015

    Does it really matter? It doesn't affect you or I either way but it COULD very well affect those involved in the lawsuit. GM should be very open at a time like this if they care one ounce about their reputation. The fact that they are still concealing documentation is a slap in the face to those that have lost loved ones in this senseless and avoidable situation. "However, those documents — which includes communications between the automaker and its lawyers — contradict the conclusions found in the report published by attorney and independent investigator Anton Valukas, which stated that “incompetence and neglect — not an intentional effort to conceal” the ignition switch problems led to the recall last year after a decade of inaction." I'm not sure we really NEED to know much else, its already been well documented that the old and new GM is equally corrupt. Oh well, they will continue to sell vehicles regardless so I suppose it really doesn't matter.

    • See 2 previous
    • Mason Mason on Mar 17, 2015

      @Kyree I'm not aware of any cover ups that have been ongoing for 14 years.

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