Former U.S. Honda Executive Admits ‘Stretching’ the Truth

Stanley James Cardiges, a former top official with American Honda Motor Co., admitted Wednesday that he was “stretching” to protect himself when he said he believed his Japanese bosses knew he was taking kickbacks from dealers.

The Laguna Hills resident, continuing to testify in the nationwide kickback and bribery scam, had said Monday that he had “heard” of gifts of golf clubs, expensive cars and free air travel for Japanese executives of American Honda.

But on Wednesday he said he had no firsthand knowledge of the gifts.

Cardiges is the government’s key witness at the trial of his former boss, John Billmyer, and former colleague Dennis Josleyn.

Cardiges, 49, pleaded guilty Feb. 7 to racketeering and other charges in one of the biggest bribery schemes in the history of the American auto industry.

Prosecutors have charged that between 1979 and 1992, Cardiges and other former American Honda officials received $15 million in cash and merchandise kickbacks for granting franchises to sell the popular Honda cars, particularly the Acura.