Image source: General Motors Shortly after that was announced, GM and the U.S. Department of Justice announced that they had come to an agreement under which GM can avoid prosecution for crimes related to the lapses around the recalls. If GM complies with a series of tough conditions for three years, the government will forego prosecution. Among the conditions: A $900 settlement payment by GM. That payment has already been made, and that amount will also appear as a charge against third-quarter earnings. These were huge payments.