US EditionFederal judge in Texas allows lawsuit against California attorney general over ExxonMobil remarks
Judge ruled California AG Rob Bonta lacks official immunity for campaign statements alleging ExxonMobil misled on plastic recycling, impacting the company’s business contracts.
- In a Texas federal court earlier this month, Truncale allowed ExxonMobil to proceed with a defamation suit against Bonta, citing a campaign activity and statements about recycling.
- Bonta initiated the conflict when he sued Exxon in September 2024, alleging the company encouraged purchases by promising recyclability and that recycling processes don't work, leading Exxon to sue Bonta and environmental groups for defamation.
- Truncale based his ruling on a campaign email and contribution link that converted Bonta's communication into campaign activity, citing an email to Texas residents stating only 5% is recycled and that `Exxon Mobil knew, and Exxon Mobil lied.`
- As a result of the ruling, Exxon said the `campaign of lies designed to derail our advanced recycling business must stop.` Bonta's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- Given the cross‑state nature of the email and lawsuit, the decision could affect official immunity and reputation law because a Texas judge cited an email to Texas residents, making this an unusual interstate clash.
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29 Articles
Undisclosed cash linked to foreign billionaire tied to California lawsuit
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is pursuing litigation that could benefit a foreign billionaire after receiving campaign checks from lawyers working for the billionaire’s nonprofit organization, public records show. Those checks may not have been properly disclosed, according to the records. In March 2024, a nonprofit organization funded by Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest began cutting checks to a law firm — Cotchett, Pitre & McCarth…
Federal judge in Texas allows lawsuit against California attorney general over ExxonMobil
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Spectrum Local News
Judge in Texas allows lawsuit against California AG over ExxonMobil remarks
A federal judge in Texas has ruled that Exxon can show a defamation lawsuit against California’s AG over comments about its plastic recycling efforts.
Associated Press News
Federal judge in Texas allows lawsuit against California attorney general over ExxonMobil remarks
A federal judge in Texas has ruled that California’s attorney general can face a defamation lawsuit over comments attacking ExxonMobil’s plastics recycling claims. U.S.
Targeted by lawsuits and demonized, Big Oil signals it’s had enough with fight against California AG
When California Attorney General Rob Bonta set out to sue ExxonMobil, alleging deception in its claims about advanced plastics recycling, he probably didn't expect the company would sue him for defamation. Bonta tried to get the case dismissed, but a federal judge in Texas has given the lawsuit the green light to proceed.
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