Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Exxon Mobil Files Defamation Lawsuit Against California Attorney General, Environmental Groups (Connecting the Dots: Exxon Mobil Corp, The Sierra Club, Brazil & Soros Funding, All Networking)

Exxon Mobil Files Defamation Lawsuit Against California Attorney General, Environmental Groups (Connecting the Dots: Exxon Mobil Corp, The Sierra Club, Brazil & Soros Funding, All Networking)

The oil giant is countersuing Bonta, who filed a lawsuit against the company in September 2024 alleging it ‘exacerbated the global plastics pollution crisis.

The Epoch Times

By Katabella Roberts 1/8/2025 Updated:1/8/2025

A logo of Exxon Mobil Corp. at the Rio Oil and Gas Expo and Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sept. 24, 2018. Sergio Moraes/Reuters

https://www.theepochtimes.com/business/exxon-mobil-files-defamation-lawsuit-against-california-attorney-general-environmental-groups-5788084?c=share_pos3&pid=iOS_app_share  

Oil and gas giant Exxon Mobil Corp. filed a countersuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and several environmental groups on Monday, accusing them of colluding on a campaign of defamation against the company’s plastic recycling initiatives.

The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Texas, was in response to a separate legal challenge filed by Bonta and four California-based environmental groups, the Sierra Club, San Francisco Baykeeper, Heal the Bay, and the Surfrider Foundation, against Exxon Mobil in September 2024.

In that lawsuit, Bonta and the groups accused Exxon Mobil of “engaging in a decades-long campaign of deception that caused and exacerbated the global plastics pollution crisis.”

They further claimed that Exxon falsely promoted the idea that the single-use plastics it produced would be recycled, when in fact the vast majority likely are not.

ExxonMobil said in its responding legal challenge filed on Monday that Bonta’s lawsuit amounts to defamation.

“Together, Bonta and the US Proxies—the former for political gain and the latter pawns for the Foreign Interests—have engaged in a deliberate smear campaign against ExxonMobil, falsely claiming that ExxonMobil’s effective and innovative advanced recycling technology is a ‘false promise’ and ‘not based on truth,’” the company said in its lawsuit.

The oil giant is seeking unspecified damages and retractions of “defamatory statements” from Bonta and the groups.

In a statement to Reuters, a spokesperson for Bonta’s office described ExxonMobil’s lawsuit as another attempt by the company to “deflect attention from its own unlawful deception.”

The Attorney General “is proud to advance his lawsuit against ExxonMobil and looks forward to vigorously litigating this case in court,” the spokesperson added.

Separately, Sierra Club spokesperson Jonathan Berman said Exxon is “clearly confused about the difference between defamation and accountability.”

“This lawsuit is a shameless attempt at intimidation by a multibillion dollar polluter corporation that covered up its climate change denial for decades,” Berman said in a statement. “The Sierra Club will not sit back as ExxonMobil attempts to use their billions to bully those standing up for the health of working families.”

Exxon Mobil Deceived Californians, Bonta Says

In their lawsuit against Exxon Mobil, Bonta and the groups claimed the oil giant deceived Californians for half a century through “misleading public statements” and “slick marketing” promising that recycling would address the “ever-increasing amount of plastic waste ExxonMobil produces.”

It did so while concealing the harms caused by plastics, according to the lawsuit.

The complaint highlighted Exxon’s advanced recycling program, which uses heat to break down plastic waste that is difficult to recycle to a molecular level so it can be reused.

According to Bonta and the groups, ExxonMobil “promotes the program as a breakthrough in technology that will make plastics sustainable” but “hides important truths about its technical limitations.”

They alleged that only about 5 percent of U.S. plastic waste is recycled and that the recycling rate has never exceeded 9 percent.

Additionally, 92 percent of plastic waste processed through ExxonMobil’s advanced recycling technology does not become recycled plastic but rather primarily fuels, Bonta and the groups said.

The lawsuit alleged violations of California nuisance law and California unfair competition law.

“ExxonMobil’s ‘advanced recycling’ program is nothing more than a public relations stunt meant to encourage the public to keep purchasing single-use plastics that are fueling the plastics pollution crisis,” Bonta and the groups said in a statement.

In November 2024, Exxon announced it was moving forward with a plan to invest $200 million in Texas to expand its advanced recycling capabilities.

The company has been selling off its oil and gas properties in California while criticizing the state’s energy regulations.

The Epoch Times contacted Bonta’s office for further comment but received no reply by publication time.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Connecting the Dots:

Paul Pelosi is an investor in the Clean Energy Fuels Corp. and married to Nancy Pelosi.

Nancy Pelosi is an investor in the Clean Energy Fuels Corp., married to Paul Pelosi, was the minority leader for the U.S. House of Representatives and Cecile Richards was her deputy chief of staff.

CleanSkies.tv Network is a peer group programmer for the Clean Energy Fuels Corp and

the Sierra Club.

Sierra Club is a partner with the Reality Coalition.

Natural Resources Defense Council is a partner with the Reality Coalition.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Natural Resources Defense Council

George Soros  was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society

Robert Redford is a trustee at the Natural Resources Defense Council and was a director at the Apollo Alliance.

Carl Pope was a director at the Apollo Alliance, an executive director for the Sierra Club and a co-chair for the BlueGreen Alliance.

Michael Brune is a co-chair for the BlueGreen Alliance and an executive director for the Sierra Club.

Leo W. Gerard is a co-chair for the BlueGreen Alliance and a director at the Economic Policy Institute.

Larry Cohen is a director at the BlueGreen Alliance and a director at the Economic Policy Institute.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Economic Policy Institute.

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society FoundationsJonathan Soros’s father, the founder of the Soros Fund Management and was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Economic Policy Institute.

Robert A. Johnson was a managing director at the Soros Fund Management and is a director at the Economic Policy Institute.

Jonathan Soros and was the deputy chairman for the Soros Fund Management, is George Soros’s son and a director at the New America Foundation.   

George Soros is Jonathan Soros’s father, the founder of the Soros Fund Management and was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the New America Foundation

Eric E. Schmidt is the chairman of the New America Foundation, a co-founder for the Schmidt Family Foundation, married to Wendy Schmidt and was a funder for the New America Foundation. 

Wendy Schmidt is married to Eric E. Schmidt, a trustee at the Natural Resources Defense Council and the president & co-founder for the Schmidt Family Foundation.

Schmidt Family Foundation was a funder for the New America Foundation, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club and the Environmental Working Group.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the New America Foundation and the Natural Resources Defense Council.  

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Robert Redford is a trustee at the Natural Resources Defense Council and was a director at the Apollo Alliance.

Natural Resources Defense Council is a partner with the Reality Coalition.

Sierra Club is a partner with the Reality Coalition.

Sierra Club is a national partner with America Votes.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a national partner with America Votes.

Cecile Richards was the founder & president for America Votes, Nancy Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff, the president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, a grant overseer for the Turner Foundation and is married to Kirk Adams.

Laura Turner Seydel is a trustee at the Turner Foundation, a board member for the Environmental Working Group and Ted Turner’s daughter.

Kirk Adams is married to Cecile Richards, and an international EVP for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is a national partner with America Votes.

Sierra Club is a national partner with America Votes.

Mary Kay Henry is the president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and a director at the Economic Policy Institute.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Economic Policy Institute.

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations and was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Economic Policy Institute.

Robert A. Johnson was a managing director at the Soros Fund Management and is a director at the Economic Policy Institute.

Larry Cohen is a director at the Economic Policy Institute and a director at the BlueGreen Alliance.

Leo W. Gerard is a director at the Economic Policy Institute and a co-chair for the BlueGreen Alliance.

Michael Brune is a co-chair for the BlueGreen Alliance and an executive director for the Sierra Club.

Carl Pope was a co-chair for the BlueGreen Alliance, an executive director for the Sierra Club and a director at the Apollo Alliance.

Robert Redford was a director at the Apollo Alliance and is a trustee at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Natural Resources Defense Council is a partner with the Reality Coalition.

Sierra Club is a partner with the Reality Coalition.

Ted Turner is Laura Turner Seydel’s father, the chairman for the Turner Foundation and the founder of CNN.

Walter Isaacson was the chairman & CEO for CNN, a director at the Bloomberg Family Foundation and the president & CEO for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Bloomberg Family Foundation was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank) and the Sierra Club.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank) and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank)

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

William W. George is a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and a director at the Exxon Mobil Corp.

Exxon Mobil Corp. was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) was a funder for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank)

Ted Turner is a co-chairman for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank), Laura Turner Seydel’s father, the chairman for the Turner Foundation and the founder of CNN.

Cecile Richards was a grant overseer for the Turner Foundation, Nancy Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff, the president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America the founder & president for America Votes and is married to Kirk Adams.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a national partner with America Votes.

Sierra Club is a national partner with America Votes.

Bloomberg Family Foundation was a funder for the Sierra Club and the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Henry A. Kissinger was a lifetime trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank) and a member of the Bohemian Club.

Walter L. Cronkite was a member of the Bohemian Club.

George H.W. Bush is a member of the Bohemian Club.

Belizean_Grove is the equivalent to the male-only social group, the Bohemian Club.

Henrietta Holsman Fore is a member of the Belizean Grove, a director at the Exxon Mobil Corp. and a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank) and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

William W. George is a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and a director at the Exxon Mobil Corp.

Exxon Mobil Corp. was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) was a funder for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank)

Ted Turner is a co-chairman for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank), Laura Turner Seydel’s father, the chairman for the Turner Foundation and the founder of CNN.

Cecile Richards was a grant overseer for the Turner Foundation, Nancy Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff, the president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America the founder & president for America Votes and is married to Kirk Adams.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a national partner with America Votes.

Sierra Club is a national partner with America Votes.

Bloomberg Family Foundation was a funder for the Sierra Club and the Aspen Institute (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Aspen Institute (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Henrietta Holsman Fore is a trustee at the Aspen Institute (think tank), a member of the Belizean Grove and a director at the Exxon Mobil Corp.

Henry A. McKinnell Jr. was a director at the Exxon Mobil Corp. and the chairman for the Business Roundtable.

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP was the lobby firm for the Business Roundtable.

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. is a senior counsel for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP, Valerie B. Jarrett’s great uncle and an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank) and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Jessica Tuchman Mathews was an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), the president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and is a director at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank).

William W. George is a trustee at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) and a director at the Exxon Mobil Corp.

Exxon Mobil Corp. was a funder for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank).

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (think tank) was a funder for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank)

Ted Turner is a co-chairman for the Nuclear Threat Initiative (think tank), Laura Turner Seydel’s father, the chairman for the Turner Foundation and the founder of CNN.

Laura Turner Seydel is a trustee at the Turner Foundation, a board member for the Environmental Working Group and Ted Turner’s daughter.

Schmidt Family Foundation was a funder for the Environmental Working Group., the New America Foundation, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club.

Eric E. Schmidt is a co-founder for the Schmidt Family Foundation, the chairman of the New America Foundation, married to Wendy Schmidt and was a funder for the New America Foundation. 

Wendy Schmidt is the president & co-founder for the Schmidt Family Foundation, married to Eric E. Schmidt and a trustee at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Robert Redford is a trustee at the Natural Resources Defense Council and was a director at the Apollo Alliance.

Natural Resources Defense Council is a partner with the Reality Coalition.

Sierra Club is a partner with the Reality Coalition.

Sierra Club is a national partner with America Votes.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Vernon E. Jordan Jr. is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), Valerie B. Jarrett’s great uncle and a senior counsel for Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP.

Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP was the lobby firm for the Business Roundtable and the Boeing Company.

Henry A. McKinnell Jr. was the chairman for the Business Roundtable and a director at the Exxon Mobil Corp.

Donna J. Hrinak was Boeing Brazil for the Boeing Company and the U.S. ambassador for Brazil, and the president. 

Clifford M. Sobel was the U.S. ambassador for Brazil and is a director at the Millennium Promise.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Millennium Promise.

George Soros is the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Jimmy Carter was an honorary co-chairman for the Millennium Promise and the president of the Jimmy Carter administration.

Stewart J. Paperin is a director at the Millennium Promise and was the president of the Soros Economic Development Fund.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Millennium Promise.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, is the founder of the Soros Economic Development Fund and the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Soros Economic Development Fund.

Resources: Past Research

National Sierra Club: What is the TPP? (Trans-Pacific Partnership) (Past Research on the Sierra Club)

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2016/07/national-sierra-club-what-is-tpp-trans.html

Jeb Bush: Michael Bloomberg A ‘Good Man’ And A ’Patriot’ (Past Research on the Turner Foundation)

Sunday, January 24, 2016

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2016/01/jeb-bush-michael-bloomberg-good-man-and.html

Charleston: CNN’s Sick Pattern of Using the Dead as Political Weapons Against the Right (Past Research on CNN)

Saturday, June 20, 2015

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2015/06/charleston-cnns-sick-pattern-of-using.html

Obama Enlisting Business Support for Spending, Debt Plans (Past Research on the Exxon Mobil Corp)

Thursday, November 21, 2013

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2013/11/obama-enlisting-business-support-for.html

The Perfect Weapon, Medicine - DR LEE MERRIT INTERVIEW (Past Research on Jessica Tuchman Mathews)

Thursday, April 15, 2021

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-perfect-weapon-medicine-dr-lee.html

Boeing Might Lose $4B Brazil Deal For F-18 Jets After NSA Surveillance Scandal; Analysts Say Politics Won't Trump Business (Past Research on Brazil)

Saturday, November 9, 2013

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2013/11/boeing-might-lose-4b-brazil-deal-for-f.html

Donald Trump: Obama ‘The Single Best Thing to Ever Happen to Jimmy Carter’ (Past Research on the Millennium Promise)

Friday, May 27, 2016

https://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2016/05/donald-trump-obama-single-best-thing-to.html

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