Feds Subpoena Toyota

LA, NY juries may begin criminal investigations into automaker
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 22, 2010 2:45 PM CST
Feds Subpoena Toyota
Exterior of 2006 Toyota Prius driven by Jacquelyn Donoghue that on December 14, 2009, suddenly accelerated and crashed on Highway 75 in Nebraska, claiming the life of her husband John Donoghue.   (Photo: Business Wire)

Toyota may be able to add criminal investigations to its growing list of woes: Federal authorities have hit the automaker with subpoenas over the recently reported safety issues with its vehicles. A New York grand jury and the Los Angeles office of the SEC requested information about the problems of unintended acceleration in several Toyota models, the Prius' braking problems, and the "company's disclosure policies and practices."

The third request likely refers to a memo disclosed yesterday that indicated Toyota may have attempted to mislead regulators over the depth and severity of its safety issues. Toyota said the relevant units "intend to cooperate with the investigations and are currently preparing their responses," the Los Angeles Times reports.
(More Toyota stories.)

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