Chevron Dodging Explanations About Its Misconduct Again

Anytime I read "no comment" or "refused to answer questions," I am immediately suspect. More often than not, Chevron clams up when questions get tough and direct. See this Chevron Pit for another example of the company dodging explanations about their misconduct in Ecuador, where the company faces an $18 billion judgment for one of the world's worst environmental disasters ever.

If You Can't Win In Court, Bribe Your Way Out Of It.

The Chevron Pit is reporting that Chevron spokesperson James Craig didn't deny that Chevron tried to "donate" $1 billion to Ecuador in exchange for the killing $18 billion lawsuit. Another classic oil company move: If you can't win in court, bribe your way out of it. Doesn't sound like it worked this time.

Chevron wants to "Donate" money to Ecuador

Give me a break! Chevron wants to "donate" money to Ecuador to help protect the rainforest. Right. Chevron has been fighting a lawsuit to help residents of the area the Chevron contaminated with 18 billion gallons of toxic water and oil. An Ecuador judge sticks the company with an $18 billion judgment, and now Chevron wants the government of Ecuador to get the judgment squashed in exchange for $500 million. Let's hope the government stands up to the oil giant. Here is a blog all about it.

Defending Chevron

Ecuadorians living in the region of the Amazon that was polluted by toxins deliberately dumped by Chevron there, are dying of cancer and other oil related diseases. The oil giant has brought no relief to them and refuses to properly clean up the sludge that is contaminating the land they depend on for survival. It is a tragedy, both humanitarian and environmental and Chevron was found guilty of causing it. You’d think people would be outraged by Chevron’s behavior but apparently for a little bit of money, you can find supporters no matter how sordid your crime is. Look at the law firm-Gibson Dunn- that is defending Chevron. The money that should be put towards cleaning up the mess in Ecuador is going into the pockets of Gibson Dunn’s lawyers and they, just like Chevron, won’t stop at anything. The law firm that will break the law to help Chevron evade responsibility.

Visit Chevron Pit to find out more about Gibson Dunn.

Damage Control

Just a few months after Wikileaks cables exposed a pretty close relationship between Chevron and U.S. Embassy in Ecuador, the Embassy released a statement announcing its support for the conservation of the Ecuadorian Amazon and promised to work with indigenous tribes that have been affected by environmental disasters like the one caused by Chevron.

Chevron is responsible for knowingly polluting Ecuadorian rainforest and so far the U.S. Embassy had supported the oil giant in its effort to escape the accountability. It looks like finally U.S. officials in Ecuador are getting on the right track. Chevron Pit has more details.