Chevron Corp. officials have just posted video that they allege “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.”
According to Chevron, the videos shows the judge in the case confirming “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.”
Chevron officials add that t “recorded meetings also show an individual who claims to be a representative of Ecuador’s ruling political party, Alianza PAIS, seeking $3 million in bribes in return for handing out environmental remediation contracts to two businessmen after the verdict is handed down. Of that sum, he said $1 million would go to Judge Juan Núñez, $1 million would go to “the presidency” and $1 million to the plaintiffs.”
More to come on this today. Go here to view the video.
UPDATE: Corrupt Chevron can’t be trusted, no matter what the facts are, plaintiffs claim
Plaintiffs in the case at issue in the video made public today by Chevron released this statement this afternoon:
The legal and scientific case against Chevron in Ecuador stands on the merits. The court-ordered damages assessment, ordered by a previous judge, found that 100% of Chevron’s former sites are contaminated with life-threatening toxins. On that basis, we believe Chevron is now liable for significant damages.
“We understand the seriousness of Chevron’s allegations. An appropriate investigation will determine whether the allegations are true or if they are the product of a dirty tricks campaign designed and financed by the company. It is clear from Chevron’s information that a former Chevron contractor appears to have been complicit in executing a bribery scheme involving an alleged official of a political party. It also seems clear from a review of Chevron’s transcripts – whose authenticity has yet to be verified – that the judge continually resisted the attempted bribery scheme put to him by a former Chevron contractor.
“It is the experience of the plaintiffs that Chevron has a long history of corrupt acts in Ecuador to evade accountability for its reckless environmental practices. The video seems to fit squarely into Chevron’s historic pattern of corruption in Ecuador. Ultimately, an investigation will determine the facts and Chevron’s role in this episode.
“If an investigation shows there is a problem, there are judicial mechanisms to address procedural problems in Ecuador that will preserve the integrity of the trial process. We have full confidence in the Ecuadorian judicial system, as does Chevron, given the case is taking place in Ecuador at the company’s request.”
