Media & Results

“This opinion reaffirms the rights of state and local authorities, such as Harris County, to enforce penalties for post-sale tampering with automobile emission control devices and to proceed against Volkswagen for its unlawful conduct,” said nationally prominent Houston attorney Richard Mithoff. Mithoff was retained in 2015 by Harris County to lead a team of local lawyers in representing Harris County, including Russell Post, Earnest Wotring and Bennie Agosto.

The Ninth Circuit has poked holes in a federal shield that allowed Volkswagen to dodge claims that it violated two U.S. counties’ anti-tampering laws during its 2015 clean diesel emissions-cheating scandal, exposing the German automaker to additional damages and prolonged legal battles.

Volkswagen faces billions of dollars in fine in Texas for its admitted cheating on emissions tests, but the potential payday is being held up as the state Attorney General and county officials fight in court over which government agencies will get to claim a share of the proceeds from the German auto giant.

Richard Mithoff Has Championed the Causes of Consumers, Workers

The Austin judge overseeing pretrial matters in the Texas multidistrict air pollution litigation against Volkswagen has appointed Houston plaintiff’s lawyer Richard Mithoff  as lead counsel for the Texas Clean Air Act county plaintiff’s steering committee.

Richard Mithoff, the Houston trial lawyer who secured a $2.2 billion settlement in 1998 for Texas counties against tobacco companies, is now going up against Volkswagen Group of America and Audi of America in vehicle emissions litigation for Harris County.

County Retains Richard Mithoff to Help Litigate Case