US trial could reveal who paid hackers to target Exxon climate critics: ‘on the edge of our seats’

US trial could reveal who paid hackers to target Exxon climate critics: ‘on the edge of our seats’ Oil giant has denied involvement, but climate activists are closely watching court case against Israeli private investigator for answers View image in fullscreen A group of American climate activists are closely watching a US court case that could reveal who hired hackers to target their inboxes a decade ago. In 2015, a set of explosive media reports revealed that ExxonMobil’s own scientists determined as early as 1982 that the extraction and burning of fossil fuels caused the climate crisis – but Exxon went on to fund climate denial campaigns anyway. The reports prompted attorneys general to investigate the company . In 2016, as a group of climate activists sought to hold Exxon accountable for climate deception , they found themselves targeted by a wave of phishing emails. Kert Davies, the founder of the Climate Investigations Center, a group that monitors the fossil fuel industry, received more than 80 phishing emails, including one pretending to be his colleague sharing a Dropbox document titled “ExxonMobil (confidential).docx”. A Department of Justice investigation eventually confirmed the successful hacking of more than 100 victims, including the group of Exxon critics. Details about who ordered the hacking operation have long been a mystery. But this spring, the extradition and arraignment of Israeli private investigator Amit Forlit in a US federal court in New York sent shockwaves through the American climate community. With Forlit now facing hacking and wire fraud charges, court documents allege the hack was ordered by a firm representing Exxon itself. View image in fullscreen The ExxonMobil Baytown Refinery in Baytown, Texas. Photograph: Brandon Bell/Getty Images With Forlit potentially facing up to 45 years in prison, his lawyer referenced the then-sealed justice department indictment and named the alleged client for the first time, in a filing arguing against his extradition from the UK: “The hacking is alleged to have been commissioned by DCI Group, a lobbying firm representing ExxonMobil, one of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies.” A newly unsealed indictment from the US attorney’s office in New York also alleges that a lobbying firm working on behalf of an oil giant matching Exxon’s description hired Forlit to execute a project that involved hacking climate activists. Separately, Reuters reported that the FBI investigated DCI Group , a lobbying firm with a longtime relationship with Exxon, regarding the hacking operation. (Public documents published by political finance tracker Open Secrets show Exxon was a major client of DCI Group, spending more than $3m on lobbying, including $320,000 in 2015 , the year the hacking was allegedly commissioned.) DCI Group and Exxon deny involvement. Neither company has been accused of wrongdoing by US authorities. ExxonMobil did not reply to a request for comment, however, the company has previ