Texas sues VW over consumer protection, clean air violations

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas has filed suit against Volkswagen, charging that the automaker's emissions rigging violated state consumer protection laws and clean air standards.

Attorney General Ken Paxton said Thursday that his state would seek restitution for consumers, and an injunction and civil penalties to prohibit future violations.

Paxton, who himself has been indicted for securities fraud, said in a statement, "When companies willfully violate the public's trust, a penalty must be paid."

VW says it installed devices designed to defeat emissions testing on many Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars dating to model year 2009.

Paxton said Texans purchased around 32,000 affected vehicles. There are about 49 authorized VW dealerships statewide.

Last month, Harris County, which includes Houston, filed a multimillion dollar lawsuit against VW, alleging the automaker contributed to air quality problems.