Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-md-02672/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-md-02672-255/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 370
Nature of Suit: Other Fraud
Cause of Action: 15:2301 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

IN RE: VOLKSWAGEN “CLEAN DIESEL” 

MARKETING, SALES PRACTICES, AND 

PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION

_____________________________________/

This Order Relates To:

MDL Dkt. No. 6739

_____________________________________/

MDL No. 2672 CRB (JSC)

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 

ENFORCE INJUNCTION AND 

RELEASE AGAINST EDWIN 

RAMBUSKI

Although initially opting out of the 2.0-liter class settlement, Edwin Rambuski later

revoked his opt out, signed an individual release of claims, and participated in the settlement by 

returning his 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI to Volkswagen in exchange for $14,825. In the release

that he signed, he agreed to release “any and all claims” against Volkswagen “arising out of or in 

any way related to the 2.0-liter TDI matter.” (MDL Dkt. No. 6739-3 at 6.) Despite that 

agreement, Mr. Rambuski continues to pursue a California state court action against Volkswagen, 

in which all of his claims relate to the 2.0-liter TDI matter. (See MDL Dkt. No. 6739-2 (state 

court complaint).) Volkswagen has asked the Court to enforce Mr. Rambuski’s release and to 

enjoin his state court action. 

Mr. Rambuski did not file a response to Volkswagen’s motion. But before Volkswagen 

filed its motion, he did send Volkswagen’s counsel an email about his state court action, and 

Volkswagen attached that email to its motion. In the email, Mr. Rambuski stated that he was 

continuing to pursue his state court action because he “did not voluntarily participate in the Class 

Action Settlement.” (MDL Dkt. No. 6739-5 at 3.) He explained further that after he initially 

opted out of the settlement, his Golf TDI broke down approximately 30 miles from his home. A 

mechanic estimated that the repairs would be in excess of $5,000. He did not have a place to store 

Case 3:15-md-02672-CRB Document 7019 Filed 01/09/20 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

the car in its broken condition, so he needed to either abandon the car, have it repaired, or 

participate in the 2.0-liter settlement. If he participated in the settlement, he could leave his car 

with a local Volkswagen dealership pursuant to the settlement’s buyback program. He chose that 

option. (See id. at 3–4.) 

Mr. Rambuski has not made a showing that the circumstances that he was under when he

decided to participate in the settlement were of a kind that would render his release of claims

unenforceable. Under his own volition, he executed the release, participated in the TDI buyback, 

and agreed to be bound by the terms of the settlement agreement. 

The Court has retained jurisdiction to enforce the 2.0-liter settlement agreement (see Final 

Approval Order, MDL Dkt. No. 2102 at 48 ¶ 14), and under the All Writs Act, the Court has the

authority “to enjoin state proceedings that interfere, derogate, or conflict with federal judgments, 

orders, or settlements.” Keith v. Volpe, 118 F.3d 1386, 1390 (9th Cir. 1997) (citing 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1651). The Court invoked that authority when it approved the 2.0-liter settlement, enjoining all 

class members from pursuing released claims. (See Final Approval Order at 47 ¶ 9.) That 

injunction applies to Mr. Rambuski, who by revoking his opt out became a 2.0-liter class member. 

As all claims in his state court action against Volkswagen relate to the 2.0-liter TDI matter, and 

thus were released, Mr. Rambuski is ENJOINED from continuing to prosecute that action, and 

Volkswagen’s motion to enforce Mr. Rambuski’s release is GRANTED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 9, 2020

CHARLES R. BREYER

United States District Judge

Case 3:15-md-02672-CRB Document 7019 Filed 01/09/20 Page 2 of 2