Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D|CA-33), along with Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D|CA-11), has sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch regarding allegations that Exxon/ExxonMobil intentionally hid the truth about the role of fossil fuels in influencing climate change. In their letter, Congressman Lieu and Congressman DeSaulnier request an investigation by the Department of Justice into whether or not ExxonMobil has broken any laws:

“In this case, Exxon scientists knew about fossil fuels causing global warming and Exxon took internal actions based on its knowledge of climate change. Yet Exxon funded and publicly engaged in a campaign to deceive the American people about the known risks of fossil fuels in causing climate change. If these allegations against Exxon are true, then Exxon’s actions were immoral. We request the DOJ to investigate whether ExxonMobil’s actions were also illegal. ”

https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-lieu-desaulnier-request-investigation-allegations-exxonmobil

As Members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, we are alarmed by allegations that Exxon (becoming ExxonMobil in 1999) intentionally hid the truth about the role of fossil fuels in influencing climate change. Investigations by the Los Angeles Times and Inside Climate News allege that Exxon scientists confirmed fossil fuels’ role in climate change decades ago, but top executives decided to hide the truth and instead embarked on a massive campaign of denial and disinformation.

ExxonMobil’s apparent behavior is similar to cigarette companies that repeatedly denied harm from tobacco and spread uncertainty and misleading information to the public. The Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecuted tobacco companies under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. We ask that the DOJ similarly investigate ExxonMobil for organizing a sustained deception campaign disputing climate science and failing to disclose truthful information to investors and the public. We request the DOJ investigate whether ExxonMobil violated RICO, consumer protection, truth in advertising, public health, shareholder protection or other laws.
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In 1988, instead of following their own scientists and the actual science, Exxon apparently started doing the opposite and engages in a campaign of denial and disinformation. The company “started financing efforts to amplify doubt about the state of climate science.” Exxon “helped to found and lead the Global Climate Coalition, an alliance of some of the world’s largest companies seeking to halt government efforts to curb fossil fuel emissions.”
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The apparent tactics employed by Exxon are reminiscent of the actions employed by big tobacco companies to deceive the American people about the known risks of tobacco. In this case, Exxon scientists knew about fossil fuels causing global warming and Exxon took internal actions based on its knowledge of climate change. Yet Exxon funded and publicly engaged in a campaign to deceive the American people about the known risks of fossil fuels in causing climate change. If these allegations against Exxon are true, the Exxon’s actions were immoral. We request the DOJ to investigate whether ExxonMobil’s actions were also illegal.

https://lieu.house.gov/sites/lieu.house.gov/files/documents/2015.10.15%20Rep.%20Ted%20Lieu_DOJ_ExxonMobil.pdf