Top bar

About POGO's Federal Contractor Misconduct Database (FCMD)

The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »

General Motors Corp.

Failure to Meet Air Resources Board Certification Standards

Date: 02/04/1998 (Date of Settlement Announcement)

Misconduct Type: Environment

Enforcement Agency: State/Local

Contracting Party: None

Court Type: Administrative

Amount: $80,000

Disposition: Settlement

Synopsis: On February 4, 1998, the California Air Resources Board announced “that it received a settlement of $80,000 from General Motors Corp. (GM) for selling vehicles that did not meet ARB certification standards for sale in the state…According to ARB information, General Motors was aware that the 19 vehicles, all 1995 Pontiac Grand Ams, were not certified for sale in California when they were delivered for sale with the intention of later bringing them into compliance with ARB emissions standards, a violation of Board regulations…In an effort to correct the problem, GM recalled the vehicles but were only able to reconfigure 13 to California specifications. Although the California Health and Safety Code allows for a maximum of $5,000 per vehicle civil penalty in this case, the ARB accepted $80,000 as a reasonable settlement.”