Court Censures Cooper

A judge in a US court case has allowed sanctions against Cooper Tire. Two brothers are suing Cooper over the death of their parents in an accident, which they allege was caused by a tread separation. The defendants claim that Cooper destroyed documents relating to production records from 1992, but Cooper says it is uncertain whether the documents were relevant.

The judge said that he would allow the plaintiffs to inform the jury of the destruction of the documents, and that they could draw whatever inference they wished. He also awarded attorney’s fees and expenses concerned with the destruction of the documents. Cooper said it would appeal the decision.