Texas lawyer Bob Hillard, acting on behalf of consumers, has filed documents in New York claiming that General Motors and its adviser King & Spalding committed a fraud together which would mean that certain communications between them are not subject to client-lawyer privelige. Mr Hillard says that the emails and other communications should be disclosed as privelige does not apply to advice given for the carrying out of a fraud or other crime. 

Settlement

Mr Hillard said: 'I want the internal emails and attorney-client advice. There was a chance for those lawyers to blow the whistle. Instead, what they told GM was to settle the case.' A GM spokesman said: 'We strongly deny the accusations in the motion and will file an appropriate response.' The faulty ignition on the vehicles prevented some vehicles from stopping by cutting power to the engine and power steering and power braking. It was linked to other problems such as air bags which did not open.  King & Spalding has some 800 lawyers spread in 17 offices in the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Source: ABA