More revelations have emerged in the General Motors safety scandal linked to scores of deaths. The New York Times reports GM knew of a fatal safety defect in their cars but continued to mislead the families of accident victims. A 2009 GM meeting confirmed hundreds of thousands of cars had faulty ignition switches, shutting down engines and airbags. But GM kept those findings secret for the next five years, telling victims’ families there was insufficient evidence of any flaws. In one case, GM threatened to go after a victim’s family for legal fees unless their lawsuit was withdrawn. The denials ended earlier this year after GM admitted to the faulty ignition switches and recalled some 3.1 million cars. GM admits the defect has caused 12 deaths, but independent estimates say the toll could be in the hundreds.