[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) issued the following statement today regarding news that the Environmental Protection Agency has accused Fiat Chrysler of using software to cheat emissions tests on certain models of diesel trucks. The allegations come just one day after the U.S. Department of Justice charged six Volkswagen executives with criminal wrongdoing related to a similar vehicle emissions scandal. 

“Fiat Chrysler must be held accountable for any use of secret software to cheat consumers and circumvent emissions controls—endangering public health by illegally polluting the air we breathe. We urge the Department of Justice under the incoming administration to take this and other corporate wrongdoing cases seriously, and call on the Trump administration to continue to pursue this and other enforcement cases at the EPA. Strong civil and criminal penalties—as was warranted against Volkswagen—are needed to halt wrongdoing and deter future misconduct,” Blumenthal and Markey said.