Jury Probes Bridgestone Tire Cases

A U.S. grand jury is conducting an investigation related to Bridgestone Corp. tires that are linked to deaths and injuries involving Ford Explorers, according to a subpoena obtained by Bloomberg News.

Miriam F. Miquelon, a U.S. attorney in Illinois, subpoenaed documents from lawyers suing Bridgestone, the world’s second- largest tire maker, and Ford Motor Co. on behalf of alleged victims, the subpoena shows. Records demanded by the grand jury include sworn statements by John Lampe, chief executive of Bridgestone’s Firestone unit.

The investigation follows an allegation by congressional investigators that Bridgestone and Ford misled U.S. officials about their products’ safety. The investigation may produce evidence bolstering personal-injury suits against Bridgestone and Ford, which used Bridgestone’s Firestone tires on Explorer sport utility vehicles.

A grand jury investigation may not result in charges.

The subpoena and a cover letter do not identify the target of the grand jury investigation. “We haven’t been contacted yet and know nothing about this,” Bridgestone spokesman Dan MacDonald said. “Everything we have submitted to federal safety officials has been open, forthright and honest.”

In addition to Lampe, the subpoena requested testimony from eight other individuals, including a Ford purchasing agent.

Lampe declined to comment.

Miquelon declined to confirm or deny the grand jury investigation.