Prosecutor: Corruption case involving Fiat Chrysler Automobiles might be unmatched in U.S. history

The merger that formed Stellantis in January created the world's fourth-largest automaker, but it didn't erase a scandal that saw millions of dollars in prohibited payments and lavish goodies flow from former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles executives to UAW officials.

The company's U.S. operating arm, formally known as FCA US and a member of the Detroit Three automakers, was ordered Tuesday to pay $30 million and submit to a compliance monitor for three years for its role in the years-long scandal, which prosecutors have said was an attempt to warp the labor-management relationship.

FCA, which will be on probation for three years but will not have to pay restitution, pleaded guilty in March to one count of conspiring to violate the Labor Management Relations Act.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Shaw told Judge Paul Borman during the sentencing in Detroit via Zoom that the company's guilty plea to a felony is significant because many corporate cases end in deferred prosecutions. In fact, the severity of this case might be unmatched, she said, noting that the company employs tens of thousands of workers in the United States and sells millions of vehicles under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram nameplates.

Read more: https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/chrysler/2021/08/17/fca-stellantis-corruption-probe-sentence/8164090002/
(Detroit Free Press)