AUTOS

Ex-Manager Says Honda Knew of Corruption: American Honda Motor Co. management refused to stop dealer payoffs to executives because it considered the payments compensation for poor salaries, Cecil Proulx testified. Proulx, of Costa Mesa, who was American Honda’s procurement manager, testified as a defense witness in the federal trial of Dennis Josleyn of Penn Valley, Calif., and John Billmyer of Raleigh, N.C., who are accused of taking bribes when they worked for American Honda. They allegedly gave dealers preferential treatment in return. Prosecutors countered Proulx’s testimony by portraying him as a well-paid malcontent. Torrance-based American Honda has said it knew nothing about kickbacks.