Toyota's Record Fine From the Feds Does Not Let Automaker Off the Hook in OC

​Toyota agreeing today to pay a $16.4 million fine imposed by the Transportation Department does not change anything as far as a lawsuit filed against the world's largest automaker by the Orange County District Attorney's Office goes.

The largest ever government penalty against an automaker--and the maximum amount allowed under U.S. law--was imposed against Toyota for concealing information related to recent recalls to fix sticking pedals, the New York Times reports.

It does not release Toyota from civil or criminal actions, including the OCDA's recently filed lawsuit.

The federal fine "is only narrowly tailored for one of the many defects," confirms Susan Schroeder, the DA's chief of staff, "and it in no way effects our case."