A Chicago customer is suing Volkswagon, alleging the car company fraudulently said their vehicles were more eco-friendly than they actually are.
Timothy Berenc of Chicago,, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a class action lawsuit Sept. 30 against Volkswagon Group of America Inc. in U.S. District Court for Southern District of Illinois East St. Louis Division, alleging fraud.
According to the suit, Berenc has personal knowledge that Volkswagon's claims of vehicles running on “clean diesel” are false. The plaintiff alleges Volkswagon did not pass federal and state emission tests and, instead, equipped their vehicles with software to cheat the program, falsifying results.
Berenc, who purchased a 2014 VW Jetta from an Evanston dealer, is asking Volkswagon to buy back vehicles by those represented in this class action lawsuit, or, free of charge, remove the defeat devices and ensure vehicles comply with emission standards.
Berence seeks any other form of damages provided by the statute, plus a jury trial, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, restitution, attorney fees and any other relief the court sees fit. He is represented by attorney Tiffany M. Yiatres of Carey, Dannis & Lowe of St. Louis
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois East St. Louis Division case number 3:15-cv-1082.