New Mexico has become the first U.S. state to sue Volkswagen and other German automakers over an emissions cheating scandal that involves millions of cars worldwide, according to AP. Attorney General Hector Balderas filed the lawsuit in state district court late Tuesday. He alleges Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and their U.S. subsidiaries violated New Mexico's air quality standards and engaged in deceptive marketing to pass off certain diesel models as clean and efficient. Dozens of state attorneys general have teamed up for a civil investigation of VW. Others are conducting separate inquiries. Earlier this month, the U.S. Justice Department sued on behalf of the federal Environmental Protection Agency. That action alone could potentially expose VW to more than $20 billion in fines under the Clean Air Act.
