Oklahoma Gets $1.6 million in GM Lawsuit Settlement

Oklahoma is receiving $1.6 million as the result of a multistate settlement with General Motors Co.

It is a settlement stemming from lawsuits filed by Oklahoma and other states over faulty ignition switches in vehicles. The receipt of the settlement was announced Friday by Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter who explained the overall judgment totaled $120 million. The $1.6 million was Oklahoma’s share based on state population.

The money in Oklahoma will be used for “advanced training, fraud prevention and enforcement of consumer protection laws,” according to the announcement by the Attorney General’s office.

The lawsuits resulted from a 2014 investigation prompted by GM’s recall of several vehicle models in which the defect could cause the shutdown of the engine while driving. More than 9 million vehicles were affected by the recall.

 

“GM knew the dangers associated with allowing the defective ignition switches to continue on the market and chose to remain silent, which is unacceptable,” Hunter said Friday. “For the company to continue marketing the defective vehicles as safe, even after knowledge of the issue, was deceptive and, unfortunately, had a human toll associated with the company’s negligence.”