In a fiery legal rebuttal, Mazda Motor of America Inc. has accused the lead plaintiff in a dismissed class action of resurrecting debunked claims and engaging in “vexatious behavior,” signaling its intent to seek sanctions if the filings aren’t withdrawn.
The clash stems from a proposed class action lawsuit led by Francis J. Farina, who alleged that certain Mazda vehicles suffer from oil burning defects that violated both consumer protection and federal emissions laws. But now, with the case dismissed and an attempted revival underway, Mazda says Farina is crossing a legal red line.
Mazda Says “Enough Is Enough”
In a blistering brief filed Friday in North Carolina federal court, Mazda said Farina’s motion to reopen the case is riddled with falsehoods, deliberate misstatements of fact, and a willful disregard for judicial rulings.
“If Farina wants oral argument, he’s the one with explaining to do — not us,” the automaker said, characterizing his legal strategy as an abuse of court processes. Mazda described Farina’s actions as “inflammatory, improper and sanctionable.”
