INDIO, Calif. (March 17, 2004) — A California Superior Court judge has tentatively rejected a motion by a Pasadena, Calif., plaintiffs' attorney for certification of a class-action lawsuit seeking the court-ordered recall of 30 million Firestone Steeltex tires.
Judge Christopher J. Sheldon's one-sentence notice on his Web site gave no reason for denying the motion of Joseph L. Lisoni against Bridgestone/Firestone. However, Judge Sheldon will still hear arguments from both sides at a certification hearing today before making a final ruling.
A BFS spokesman said of the tentative ruling that the company “felt all along that it had a strong case.” Mr. Lisoni said he would file a motion of reconsideration if the final judgment went against him.