R.I. to receive $4.1M from Volkswagen settlement

R.I. ATTORNEY General Peter F. Kilmartin said the settlement "will provide millions of dollars to Rhode Island for diesel-emission reduction, electric-vehicle infrastructure and related environmental projects." / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO
R.I. ATTORNEY General Peter F. Kilmartin said the settlement "will provide millions of dollars to Rhode Island for diesel-emission reduction, electric-vehicle infrastructure and related environmental projects." / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – Volkswagen will pay more than $4.1 million to Rhode Island for violating state laws prohibiting the sale and leasing of diesel vehicles equipped with illegal and undisclosed emissions-control defeat device software, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin said Thursday.

“Volkswagen deceived its customers along with state and federal regulators when the company knowingly sold vehicles that failed to meet emissions standards as marketed, and further, tried to cover up their actions,” Kilmartin said in a statement. “This settlement, one of the largest in recent history, along with related federal and state settlements against Volkswagen, will provide millions of dollars to Rhode Island for diesel-emission reduction, electric-vehicle infrastructure and related environmental projects. These settlements hold the company responsible for their reckless and negligent actions.”

The agreement, which still needs state court approval according to Kilmartin spokeswoman Amy Kempe, is the latest in a series of state and federal settlements that will provide cash payments to affected consumers, required Volkswagen to buy back or modify certain VW and Audi 2.0-liter diesel vehicles, and prohibited Volkswagen from engaging in future unfair or deceptive acts and practices in connection with its dealings with consumers and regulators.

Under the settlement, Volkswagen is required to pay a total $157,448,480 to Rhode Island and the nine other states.

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The coordinated settlements resolve state environmental claims raised by a multistate coalition of 10 state attorneys general against Volkswagen, which includes Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, and Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Porsche AG and Porsche Cars, North America Inc.

Rhode Island must use its share of the settlement on environmentally beneficial projects as directed and approved by the Attorney General’s Office. Volkswagen also must offer for sale three separate models of electric vehicles in the states involved in the settlement.

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