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Ex-Toyota lawyer says documents prove company hid damaging i

CNN -- Los Angeles, California (CNN ) -- When former in-house defense attorney Dimitrios Biller resigned from his top post at Toyota, he walked out with something potentially more valuable than his nearly $4 million severance package.

He took some 6,000 internal documents, including memos and e-mails potentially damaging to his former employer.


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Submitted Mar 11, 2010 By: MyVue08
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jwalkerh
Champion Author Louisiana

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 9:54:09 AM

This sounds like a coverup which is what everyone suspects. It is not surprising especially regarding the sheer number of problems.
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coughlin
Champion Author San Jose

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 7:01:12 AM

This is huge. This is (on a much smaller scale) comparable to Alexander Butterfield disclosing the fact that there was a Taping System in Richard Nixon's Oval Office, to the Watergate Committee.
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Bonanza
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 5:29:09 AM

If this is really true, then Toyota should be held totally accountable for all of their actions.
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ArmydudeNC
Champion Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 4:33:25 AM

The bad news continues for Toyota.
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greywolves
Champion Author Las Vegas

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 4:27:04 AM

by the way, is that fitwit ot nitwit?
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greywolves
Champion Author Las Vegas

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 4:25:05 AM

the judge hearing the case has already ordered biller to turn the documents to the custody of the court. the legality of the many faceted issues of this case will be heard by the court in due time. a temporary order gagging biller has been issued by the court.

the really interesting question is, If a recognized regulating body (dept. of transportation), congressional oversight committee or a district attorney where to file an amicus curie brief or requested a cameral view of the documents.

biller alleges, the documents prove a long term effort to conceal known product defects and a pattern of criminal behavior (as defined by the racketeering influenced and corrupt organizations act) this would put toyota in a very difficult position, indeed. and the judge in the same position as releasing a murderer because of tainted evidence.
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harleydoctor
Champion Author Kansas

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 4:11:51 AM

OMG, the gall of Toyota,is anyone really surprised?????lol
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OriginalBudman
Champion Author Barrie

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 4:03:32 AM

I knew there was something fishy going on at this company.
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greywolves
Champion Author Las Vegas

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:58:06 AM

actually, it is. but i doubt he will receive the remainder of his severance package. he has already received a registered love note in the mail from toyota
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packards42
Champion Author Washington

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:58:03 AM

He took some 6,000 internal documents, including memos and e-mails potentially damaging to his former employer.

Isn't something like this illegal. What ever happen to disclosure rules. Don't get me wrong, I don't think you have to give the other side damage information. What to happened to privacy rights. Aren't corporation treat like individual with right to privacy.,
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Fitwit
Champion Author Stockton

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:54:29 AM

Naughty, Naughty Dimitrios! You have to live with yourself. The 4 million seveerance package isn't worth selling your soul for.
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BigDogOH
Champion Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:53:23 AM

Need to dig into our own government coverups
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jimraehl
Champion Author Utah

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:53:01 AM

This is getting really juicy. But according to the latest Consumer Reports auto satisfaction survey, Toyota is at the top of the list, with GM and Chrysler at the bottom.
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Eichhornchen
Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:48:44 AM

Too bad they're not digging in and examining the health care bill like they are Toyota's documents.
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JimTee
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:40:24 AM

This story is not over yet...
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wegman
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:36:59 AM

Well we already know the guy broke the law when he stole the documents. And the tort bar is the most parasitic element of American society. I trust this guy as much as I trust William Jefferson Clinton.
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spiderjay
Champion Author Little Rock

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:30:10 AM

DUH I could see that ages ago
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Sam195
Champion Author San Bernardino

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:28:18 AM

Gee, if a lawyer says it, then it must be true.
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1fulltank
Champion Author Buffalo

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:19:40 AM

Lawyers always help.
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jackson661
Champion Author Columbus

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:09:34 AM

"criminal acts" by Toyota -- specifically, withholding information ... what..the
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twobroke61
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 3:03:58 AM

you can bet them records never hit the courts
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toyota1999
Champion Author Louisville

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 2:35:29 AM

Toyota hiding details???? hmm not Toyota.
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sosgas
All-Star Author Portland

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 2:31:47 AM

Unbelievable....,BUT>>>
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findcheap
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 2:31:23 AM

can't trust those lawyers
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pbc2001
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 2:14:14 AM

Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
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outlaw329
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 2:11:53 AM

Who would have ever guessed a company hiding something? Well I'll be damned.
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TPlayer
All-Star Author Fort Wayne

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 2:06:36 AM

9C1 that is a completely idiotic, unintelligent statement...

250Ford... should we also shut down Ford in this country... or just turn a blind eye to them doing the same thing along with all corporations that are mostly corrupt in this country...

This lawyer is trying to paint himself as a hero when he is a hypocrite... he took the money and ran... both he and toyota have no credibility... but what corporations truly do... not many...
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genef01
Champion Author Nashville

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 1:55:04 AM

Unbelievable....CruisinLinda and skynet both make good points. I wonder which state(s) admitted him to the bar and what their ethics investigators are doing about his public disclosure that he has damaging documents. By his actions and statements, he may have made the documents inadmissible as it seems that he certainly has violated attorney-client privilege.
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jay4
Champion Author Colorado Springs

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 1:47:50 AM

"potentially" hmmmm doesn't sound reliable.
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speedys
Champion Author Utah

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 1:42:49 AM

I knew darn well there was a coverup.
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RENEGADEGAS
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 1:37:56 AM

Soxxie95...Dont forget, its those big businesses that offer jobs to millions of people in our country and without them, unemployment would be out of control. I agree some of them take advantage of people, but dont lump them and be greatful for the jobs they provide.
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ItisAJeepThing
Champion Author Tucson

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 1:27:08 AM

Now he can start a class action lawsuit against Toyota and make more millions.
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Soxxie95
Sophomore Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 1:22:39 AM

Thats big business for you. They lie cheat and steal all they want and if the little man gets hurt in the process then oh well its not their concern and they go laughing all the way too the bank
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computernut2008
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 1:21:52 AM

The second big problem we have LAWYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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GMVAN
Champion Author Calgary

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 1:19:29 AM

Take the money and run before its to late.
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BobD2009
Champion Author Long Island

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 1:13:14 AM

I am not surprised that there was a cover up. Was our Federal DOT in on it?
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RENEGADEGAS
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 1:12:53 AM

I thought maybe we had seen the last of this Toyota soap opera infesting a forum about the current oil and gas prices. Obviously thats not happening.
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Naturenut99
All-Star Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 1:00:16 AM

Also, aren't there whistle-blower protections?
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ashishpa
All-Star Author St. Louis

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:55:41 AM

One more proof about toyota's improper handling of the quality and just concerned about profits. I really hope sticking to your Toyotas won't kill anyone when the car malfunctions - because if you do, you'll lose your house in civil court for knowingly driving a defective car which contributed to the accident.
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Naturenut99
All-Star Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:54:24 AM

Toyota is the LIAR and THE PROBLEM. The lawyer is a HERO in my book.
I agree with "masrod's" statement.
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14of45SSR
Champion Author Saskatchewan

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:53:44 AM

That lawyer shouldn't be allowed to do such things...he should be charged & have to return his $4 million severance package. Even though he can provide evidence for the people that own Toyotas.
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masrod
Champion Author Iowa

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:49:32 AM

For many years Toyota's didn't recall defective cars when they should have. They paid to hush it up to keep their so-called good reputation. How much are lives worth?
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sjambok
Champion Author Nashville

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:45:35 AM

I don't look at a Prius the same way anymore. thankfully, THAT one was in front of me.
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greenfog
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:39:58 AM

with as much as this info may cost toyota, i am surprised that toyota officials through a untraceable chain of course, hasn't had this guy taken out.
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EcoVore
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:29:58 AM

A company selling a defective product that threatens life due to their negligence/ subterfuge, does owe the consumer something, & if causes death the surviving affected relatives as well. Toyota will pay & pay dearly & fix their mistakes or pay someone to do it!
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96sc1
Champion Author El Paso

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:27:21 AM

Toyota should have Biller arrested for industrial espionage
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jadeusa
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:26:35 AM

Simple - subpoena the records since they probably contain factual info that is needed on evaluating safety reports.
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WhiteTreeIndian
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:24:23 AM

Toyote doesn't owe anyone anything. You bought one, they gave you one. FIX IT YOURSELF if you want to.
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Mooseman1
Champion Author Manitoba

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:23:56 AM

Now let's see now Toyota handles it.
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craigsf38
Champion Author Rochester

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Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 12:23:17 AM

Greed.
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