INDIO, Calif. (Jan. 26)—A California Superior Court judge has rejected a motion from plaintiffs´ attorneys seeking sanctions against Bridgestone/Firestone for allegedly destroying damaged Firestone Steeltex tires intended to be kept as evidence in a class action lawsuit.
Judge Christopher Sheldon also asked BFS' lawyers to prepare a formal order that will include recommendations for sanctions against Joseph L. Lisoni, Gail Lisoni and Steven Weinberger. A press release from the plaintiffs' attorneys expressed "shock and dismay" that Sheldon ruled against them, and accused him of ignoring key points of their motion.
"We have preserved all tires required to be preserved under the court's order," a BFS spokesman said after Sheldon's ruling.