Tuner Sinister Diesel Fined $1 Million for Selling Emissions Defeat Devices

Yet another tuning shop has been fined as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ongoing war on diesel emissions defeat devices. At the receiving end of the punishment this time around is California-based Sinister Diesel, which will pay $1 million in both criminal fines and civil penalties.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, Sinister Manufacturing—the parent company of Sinister Diesel—pleaded guilty in Federal court to two separate counts both related to wilful violations of the Clean Air Act.

Sinister Diesel is one of many diesel-oriented performance companies in the United States. Like many of these shops, Sinsiter sold devices, tuners, and software that allowed owners to convert otherwise emission-compliant trucks into coal-rolling, exhaust-spewing nuisance machines that really do give auto enthusiasts a bad name. And in case you haven't been paying attention, the EPA really doesn't like that—so it's turned its sights towards the companies manufacturing and selling these defeat devices.

Its most recent crackdown is on Sinister Diesel. Earlier this week, the company entered into a plea agreement as part of a joint investigation by the EPA and FBI. The company was charged with conspiracy to violate (CAA) and defraud the United States, as well as a second CAA violation by "tampering with the monitoring device of an emissions control system of a diesel truck."

Essentially, the Clean Air Act prohibits anyone from manufacturing or selling any devices that bypass, defeat, or "otherwise render inoperative" emission control devices. This isn't anything new—a number of manufacturers sell tuning devices that technically fit this bill, and the EPA has gone after companies that sell these types of components time and time again. It's even levied penalties against TV hosts like Discovery's Diesel Brothers.

The EPA alleges that Sinister did exactly that when it sold tuning devices that allowed diesel owners to roll coal and bypass emissions devices. The shop is also accused of bundling hardware delete kits and software "delete tunes," sometimes bundled with hardware manufactured by other companies, with the sole intention of profiting from violations of the CAA. Prosecutors also allege that not only did Sinister supply the devices and software tunes, but the shop also instructed owners on how to evade state emission tests by removing and reinstalling its products.

Sinister did note that its products were intended for "racing" and off-road use only. However, prosecutors say that the company knew that most of its products were being sold with the intention of being used on the road.