Massachusetts Charging ExxonMobil with 'Climate Change Fraud'

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, along with several eco-friendly organizations singled out ExxonMobil in a climate change fraud investigation last month.

Healey accused the oil company of engaging in “an unprecedented effort to limit the ability of state attorneys general to investigate fraud and unfair business practices and to protect Massachusetts consumers, investors and the public.” So Healey demanded to see private company documents.  

Exxon has repeatedly acknowledged the risks of climate change and has spent over $7 billion on research on how to reduce emissions. Although the oil mogul doesn’t do business in the state of Massachusetts, Healey still made it her mission to go after the oil company, demanding private documents for the investigation.

Exxon issued a motion to the subpoena and stated that the Massachusetts AG’s “investigation” is a pretextual use of law enforcement power to deter ExxonMobil from participating in ongoing public deliberations about climate change and to fish through decades of ExxonMobil’s documents in the hope of finding some ammunition to enhance the Massachusetts Attorney General’s position in the policy debate concerning how to respond to climate change.”

Well, the GOP House Texas Rep. Lamar Smith is fighting back against Healey and other AGs for targeting Exxon and abusing their power. Healey, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, and eight environmental groups were given their own subpoenas due to withholding committee information.

“The attorneys general have appointed themselves to decide what is valid and what is invalid regarding climate change. The attorneys general are pursuing a political agenda at the expense of scientists’ right to free speech,” said Smith. “The Committee has a responsibility to protect First Amendment rights of companies, academic institutions, scientists, and nonprofit organizations.” 

Smith wants to know what they are hiding and why.

All the while­– Harry Reid, Democratic Senate Minority Leader and Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York, Tim Kaine of Virginia has targeted opposing groups, like the Cato Institute and Americans for Prosperity for creating a “web of denial” about global warming.

The climate fraud investigation continues with the Heritage Foundation, Heartland Institute, American Legislative Exchange Council, and Americans For Tax Reform also being targeted with potential subpoenas. The groups addressed the senators in a formal letter stating “We hear you. Your threat is clear: There is a heavy and inconvenient cost to disagreeing with you. Calls for debate will be met with political retribution. That’s called tyranny. And, we reject it.”