The Department of Justice (DoJ) is investigating DCI Group, a Washington DC lobbying firm that allegedly commissioned the hacking of climate change activists on behalf of oil and gas company, ExxonMobil.
Court documents imply that the DoJ is building a case against the firm, and is seeking to extradite Israeli private investigator Amit Forlit from the UK, who is alleged to have led the hacking campaign.
The activist groups targeted were involved in litigation regarding climate change and the oil and gas industry.
This revelation comes shortly after climate-change activists Radicals posted a record number of gains in the US stock market, promising to use investors’ voices to push for action to mitigate climate change.
These developments could signal a rising risk of litigation and regulatory action against the fossil fuel industry and its associated lobbying firms as pressure continues to grow to take more decisive action on climate change.