ExxonMobil Targets Australian Mining Tycoon Andrew Forrest in Defamation Lawsuit
ExxonMobil claimed that Forrest’s Intergenerational Environment Justice Fund was responsible for conducting smear campaigns against the oil producer’s plastic recycling ventures.
Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest has been implicated as the orchestrator of smear campaigns against U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil in a defamation lawsuit.
On Jan. 6, ExxonMobil filed a court case against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and several environmental groups at a federal court in Texas, accusing them of defaming the company’s plastic recycling projects.
In the new lawsuit, ExxonMobil alleged that the Intergenerational Environment Justice Fund (IEJF), a non-profit organization controlled by Forrest, had engaged a law firm called Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP, to collaborate with Bonta in tarnishing the company’s reputation.
It was stated that the law firm had received significant funding from the IEJF.
Additionally, it was alleged that the IEJF was a subsidiary of Forrest’s charity organization, Minderoo.
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“ExxonMobil alleged that Bonta and other U.S. entities, driven by political motives and foreign interests, have maliciously spread false information about ExxonMobil’s advanced recycling technology, claiming it to be a ‘false promise’ and lacking authenticity,” stated ExxonMobil in the lawsuit.
ExxonMobil implied that Forrest may have ulterior motives for the smear campaigns, noting that he is a major shareholder in Fortescue, a competitor in eco-friendly solutions and energy transition endeavors which had encountered challenges in the U.S. market.
“Failing to compete effectively against ExxonMobil in the market, Fortescue allegedly orchestrated a campaign to gain a competitive edge by manipulating the American judicial system in favor of their own interests,” the lawsuit added.
“Specifically, Fortescue supports Minderoo, the owner of IEJF, which hired an American law firm to file complaints against ExxonMobil on behalf of U.S. entities.”
While Forrest, Fortescue, and Minderoo were singled out in the lawsuit, they are not defendants in ExxonMobil’s legal action.
Response from Forrest
Following the initiation of the lawsuit, Forrest expressed little surprise at ExxonMobil’s actions, labeling the lawsuit as a typical tactic employed by the oil and gas industry.
“I am pleased that Exxon has chosen to bring this to court and open themselves up to questioning,” he remarked in a statement.
“The fossil fuel industry is becoming increasingly desperate to maintain its influence in society. Their primary goal is to maximize profits and maximize the production of oil and gas.”
A spokesperson for Minderoo refuted ExxonMobil’s claims regarding the connection between the charity and the IEJF.
Likewise, a spokesperson for Fortescue denied the alleged involvement of the company in the litigation.
“Fortescue denies the accusations made by ExxonMobil in the complaint, including the claim that the company engaged in litigation against Exxon to gain a competitive advantage,” the spokesperson stated.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the California Department of Justice criticized ExxonMobil’s lawsuit.
“This is another effort by ExxonMobil to divert attention from their own deceptive practices,” the spokesperson remarked.
“The Attorney General is committed to pursuing the lawsuit against ExxonMobil and is eager to vigorously litigate this case in court.”
