Illinois attorney general Lisa Madigan has filed a lawsuit against Volkswagen over the dieselgate scandal, meaning the U.S. state becomes the 19th to sue the German automaker.
Madigan filed the complaint in Cook County Circuit Court and is asking for civil penalties against Volkswagen for violating state environmental laws. Approximately 29,800 cars sold by the Volkswagen Group with their emissions cheating device are believed to reside in Illinois.
In a press release, Madigan said “Volkswagen promoted its cars as environmentally friendly, clean diesel vehicles that in fact, polluted our air and our communities by breaking state and federal emissions laws.”
The lawsuit asks the court to assess a penalty of up to $50,000 for any violations of regulations as well as an additional $10,000 penalty per day which the regulation was being violated.
In a statement, VW spokesperson Jeannine Ginivan said “Volkswagen is committed to reaching a fair and efficient resolution of remaining federal and state diesel claims in the United States.
“[We] will review Illinois’ complaint and respond appropriately,” she said.
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