Chevron says damage assessment in Ecuador pollution case is tainted by biased reports

[Judi Lynn]

Chevron says damage assessment in Ecuador pollution case is tainted by biased reports

CHRIS KAHN
AP Energy Writer
3:14 p.m. EST, February 10, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) — Chevron Corp. has stepped up its offensive against an effort to make the oil giant pay for poisoned sections of the Amazon rain forest.

After spending months discrediting the political and legal system in Ecuador, where a court is considering a fine against the company, Chevron now claims that a court-appointed expert gave biased testimony in the case.

The expert, Richard Cabrera, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. But lawyers representing people affected by the pollution said Chevron is simply making a last-ditch effort to delay what could be a massive penalty against the company.

The judgment may reach $27 billion, more than twice the company's 2009 earnings.

"They're losing the case based on the evidence," said Steven R. Donziger, an American legal adviser to the plaintiffs. "So they're trying to fabricate issues to try to taint the image of the trial."

Karen Hinton, a spokeswoman for the Amazon Defense Coalition, pointed out that Chevron previously praised the fairness and competency of Ecuador's courts. The company successfully lobbied to have the case moved from a U.S. federal court in 2002, agreeing to any final judgment that comes in Ecuador, according to court documents.

More:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/nationworld/sns-ap-us-chevron-ecuador,0,1135362.story

[Peace Patriot]

1. It's the rare Associated Pukes article that shows any fairness to the Latin American poor.

I wonder if this article appeared anywhere else but the Sun-Sentinel.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Looks as if it ran in a number of places, including Yahoo business.

Could be a regular editor was on vacation at A.P.!

[Peace Patriot]

3. LOL! Or Exxon Mobil doesn't mind Chevron getting blistered?

Clearly, Exxon Mobil controls what uses our military is put to, and U.S. foreign policy in general in the Middle East and the portions of South America rich in oil, and what Exxon Mobil wants, from our corpo-fascist press, Exxon Mobil gets. So maybe that it's--they're trying to put a rival out of business?

[Judi Lynn]

4. Ha! The mind reels. A corporate war, aided and assisted by corporate news.

Taking it to the next level. It's a natural progression. Maybe it HAS happened already.

http://yesornodc.files.wordpress.com.nyud.net:8090/2008/07/majungatholus.jpg

[Peace Patriot]

5. Double LOL! nt