Takata Corp. is expected to plead guilty to criminal wire fraud as early as Friday as pay about $1 billion to resolve a U.S. Justice Department investigation into its faulty air bags. Takata, which faces significant financial pressures from an onslaught of recalled air bags linked to numerous deaths and injuries, is expected to plead guilty to criminal wire fraud, the people said. As part of the plea agreement, Takata is expected to pay a $25 million criminal penalty, the people said. The anticipated Takata settlement would cap a significant government probe stemming from the largest automotive recall in U.S. history. It remained unclear whether the Justice Department plans to bring any criminal cases against Takata employees alongside the company’s expected guilty plea.

Source: Wall Street Journal January 12, 2017 18:32 UTC