US Grand Jury Starts Ford/Bridgestone Investigation

A US federal grand jury is conducting a criminal investigation related to Bridgestone tyres that were linked to deaths and injuries involving Ford Explorers, according to a subpoena issued to lawyers suing the companies. The subpoena, by the United States attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, requests that lawyers suing the Bridgestone Corporation and the Ford Motor Company in tyre-related cases turn over documents to the grand jury. Among the requested documents are sworn statements by John T.

Lampe, chief executive of Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc. The investigation follows accusations by Congressional investigators that Bridgestone and Ford misled federal officials about the safety of their products.The subpoena does not identify the focus of the criminal investigation, simply that the documents being sought are pursuant to an official criminal investigation of a suspected federal offense.

Safety officials say flaws in Firestone tyres contributed to 271 deaths and more than 700 injuries. After a recall of Firestone tyres began in 2000, President Bill Clinton signed a law that made it a crime to withhold tyre safety data..