Money | Toyota Toyota to Pay $16.4M US Fine But automaker won't admit hiding defects from feds By Nick McMaster Posted Apr 19, 2010 1:19 AM CDT Copied Toyota Motor Corp. president Akio Toyoda bows at the end of a press conference at company headquarters in Toyota, central Japan, March 30, 2010. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) Toyota is expected to agree today to pay a record $16.4 million US fine after a 4-month delay in reporting the "sticky pedal" defect that led to a massive recall. Toyota has decided not to challenge the government penalty, but will not admit it knowingly hid evidence of defects from safety regulators, which is expected to make its defense in civil lawsuits easier, reports the Wall Street Journal. "It is Toyota saying, 'We will pay, but won't admit we should pay,'" said a plaintiff's lawyer. But government officials wanted to avoid the lengthy legal battle that likely would have ensued if Toyota had challenged the fine. "By paying the full penalty, Toyota is accepting responsibility for hiding this safety defect in violation of the law," said a Transportation Department source. Read These Next New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. Iran's supreme leader makes first public comments since ceasefire. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Her blood isn't compatible with anyone else's. Report an error