NHTSA blocks former chief from Toyota testimony - The Detroit News
Washington — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration blocked the agency’s former chief from testifying as a witness for Toyota Motor Corp. In a July 1 letter obtained by The Detroit News , a NHTSA lawyer told former Administrator David Strickland that he could not testify in a class-action lawsuit against Toyota. “The agency has been roundly criticized for its relationship with Toyota in terms of recent enforcement actions, particularly regarding unintended acceleration,” NHTSA lawyer Timothy H. Goodman wrote in an eight-page letter to Strickland and a... “Given this history, Mr. Strickland’s testimony as a former NHTSA administrator describing Toyota’s actions or conduct in this matter with approval, will likely diminish the agency’s ability to pursue a vigorous enforcement review of Toyota moving... But Toyota argued that Strickland could testify about general matters, citing a 1994 memorandum. “I relied on settled NHTSA precedent and interpretations in determining that my engagement was not only allowable, but well within the regulations regarding my testimony in a private matter,” Strickland told The News, adding “it is within the... and I respect its decision to do so. ”. Toyota spokesman Scott Vazin said the automaker “respects and accepts NHTSA’s determination of this issue. Source: www.detroitnews.com
