WASHINGTON/NEW YORK -- The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday charged the U.S. business of Stellantis with criminal conspiracy in its multi-year emissions fraud probe surrounding vehicles with diesel engines.
The government charges FCA US with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. to violate the Clean Air Act and to commit wire fraud.
The automaker deceived U.S. regulators and sold the vehicles "knowing that those vehicles did not meet U.S. emissions standards" and also deceived customers "by making false and misleading representations," the government says.
Stellantis declined to comment.
The government said the Stellantis' U.S. unit's property subject to forfeiture was $203.6 million. The unit also is expected to pay a criminal fine of about $96 million as part of the settlement.