UPDATE 9-4-09 at 12:14 p.m. Central: Just learned that the judge in the $27 billion environmental lawsuit filed by Amazon Defense Coalition against Chevron in Ecuador has recused himself. Details here and here!
Today, according to this news release, Chevron Corporation officials provided authorities in Ecuador and the U.S. with video recordings that reveal a $3 million bribery scheme implicating the judge presiding over the environmental lawsuit currently pending against the company and individuals who identify themselves as representatives of the Ecuadorian government and its ruling party. Above is a 20-minute snippet of highlights from the complete 2 hours of video documentation.
During the past 18 months, I’ve written at least one post per month — read them here — about the drawn-out court battle between Chevron and the Amazon Defense Coalition over allegations of environmental misdeeds on the part of the San Ramon, Calif.-based oil giant. Based upon my review of the video above, it appears my observations, in-depth reporting and analysis were on target.
In the videos, the judge confirms that he will rule against Chevron and that appeals by the energy company will be denied — even though the trial is ongoing and evidence is still being received. A purported party official also states that lawyers from the executive branch have been sent to assist the judge in writing the decision.
For the full transcripts and the complete video recordings, go to www.chevron.com/ecuador.
More to follow…
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UPDATE 8-31-09 12:48 p.m. Central: When contacted for comment on the news today, ADC spokesperson Karen Hinton said she would be issuing a statement soon and would forward it to me.
See also: Transcript: Ecuadoran Officials Caught on Tape Seeking $3 Million in Return for Favorable Ruling
10 responses so far ↓
1 » Scandal Erupts in Chevron-Ecuador Environmental Lawsuit; $3MM Bribery Scheme Caught on Tape! NoisyRoom.net: Where liberty dwells, there is my country… // Aug 31, 2009 at 2:43 pm
[...] By: Bob McCarty Bob McCarty Writes [...]
2 Scandal Erupts in Chevron-Ecuador Environmental Lawsuit; $3MM Bribery Scheme Caught on Tape! « The Chevron Ecuador Lawsuit Clearinghouse // Aug 31, 2009 at 3:00 pm
[...] Read the full article. Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) Leave a comment Trackback [...]
3 Anna // Aug 31, 2009 at 8:17 pm
This video is not believable. Seems to me like it’s just another dirty trick that Chevron came up with to avoid responsibility for the contamination. First of all, how did this Chevron contractor end up videotaping those meetings? Are we supposed to believe he wasn’t paid by Chevron? Secondly, I did not hear the judge actually accept the bribe. Looks and sounds like a set up.
4 hotoffthepress2 // Aug 31, 2009 at 8:22 pm
It appears as if you got a copy of Karen Hinton’s talking points. NO, WAIT JUST A MINUTE! “Annakay”, part of your e-mail address, IS the alias you, KAREN HINTON, have used all over the internet ever since this case began! YOU’RE ASTROTURFING!!!! Shame on you!!!
5 Joseph // Sep 1, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Chevron’s talking about corruption in Ecuador?
Who’s calling the kettle black?
6 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 2, 2009 at 5:25 am
Joseph — It’s all captured on video.
7 Joseph // Sep 2, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Regarding Chevron’s hypocrisy in pointing the corruption finger, I refer you to a 1988 Texaco document entitled “Offer of Bribe to Auditors”
8 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 2, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Joe, I don’t point people to cesspools of fraud like the one your link pointed to, so I deleted the link. Too bad.
9 J. // Sep 2, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Caught on tape!! I was reading the statements of this crooked judge regarding the video and he first says , I was not there, then he says yes I was but I never,ner,ner say that, now he says the video computer made jajajjaajjaaj caught on tape!!!
10 Paul Paz y Miño: Chevron’s Blogger Propagandists: Accuse First, Ask (No) Questions Later | Old People News // Dec 18, 2009 at 3:06 am
[...] On August 31, McCarty wrote: [...]
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