The Franklin man whose lemon law case against luxury electric car maker Tesla drew national attention has now made a public offer to settle the case.
Robert Montgomery will dismiss his case, with prejudice, and return his white Model S if Tesla refunds $108,600 and pays attorney fees as set by a court. Montgomery will not agree to any confidentiality provision as part of any settlement.
His attorney, Vince Megna, made the settlement offer public in response to Tesla's comments about the suit on a company blog last week.
"It is disturbing that Tesla Motors, without basis in law or fact, accuses its customer of tampering with a fuse in order to gain advantage under the Wisconsin Lemon Law," Megna wrote in the "offer of settlement."
"This tactic is effective in social media where my client’s character has been brutally attacked. However, in the courtroom, meritless allegations will be replaced by Tesla’s own confirmation of vehicle problems and 66 days in the repair shop."
Megna wrote that he's used to being attacked for being an aggressive lawyer. "But when my client – a medical doctor who cared for U.S. soldiers in war – gets the same onslaught, that’s when the line is drawn. After all, all he ever asked for was a refund for a bad car."
The settlement offer says it is open until 5 p.m CST. April 22.
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