Exxon Mobil Granted Permission to Sue California AG for Defamation Regarding Recycling Claims

A federal judge has dismissed California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s attempt to have Exxon Mobil’s defamation lawsuit thrown out. The lawsuit stems from Bonta’s criticism of Exxon’s advanced plastics recycling initiatives.

U.S. District Judge Michael Truncale ruled against Bonta’s claim of immunity, stating that his criticisms of Exxon were made in the “heartland” of his official duties as attorney general. This ruling opens the door for further examination of whether Bonta’s statements were made in good faith, a question that will be addressed later in the proceedings.

Related: California Attorney General Investigating Eaton Fire Emergency Response

In a related matter, Truncale dismissed claims against environmental groups such as Sierra Club, Baykeeper, Heal the Bay, and the Surfrider Foundation, citing a lack of jurisdiction over those cases.

Bonta’s office has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the ruling. An Exxon spokesperson stated, “This campaign of lies designed to derail our advanced recycling business must stop. We refuse to let others attack our reputation and technology for their financial and political gain.”

Exxon has increasingly taken a stand against environmentalists and critics who argue that its operations contribute to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. The company, headquartered in Spring, Texas, initiated its lawsuit against Bonta in January 2025, just months after California filed its own lawsuit accusing Exxon of decades of misleading claims about recycling limitations.

Exxon produces polymers that are essential for creating single-use plastics. Bonta, a Democrat, has publicly criticized Exxon’s promotion of its advanced recycling technology, which aims to convert hard-to-recycle plastics into fuel. He argues that the slow pace of this process indicates a lack of transparency and honesty from Exxon.

Judge: Not Unfair to Review Some Challenged Statements

In its lawsuit, Exxon challenged 14 statements made by Bonta during interviews, online posts, and public appearances. Among these were claims that Exxon’s recycling plan was “not based on truth,” that plastic waste was “piling up” in Houston despite recycling efforts, and that only 5% of U.S. plastic waste is recycled, with the remainder polluting the environment, waterways, oceans, wildlife, and humans.

Two of the statements in question originated from a Reuters interview. In a detailed 46-page decision, Judge Truncale noted that it “would not be unfair” to review these statements for potential defamation, as they were clearly related to Exxon and were based on Texas sources or included in a campaign email sent to Texas residents.

According to Truncale, under Texas law, Bonta’s official immunity hinges on whether his statements were objectively false. He also pointed out that Bonta’s comments regarding plastic waste appeared in an email that included a link for campaign contributions, emphasizing that “campaigning is not within Bonta’s scope of employment.”

Truncale was appointed to the federal bench in 2019 by Republican President Donald Trump.

(Reporting by Stempel in New York; Editing by David Gregorio and Matthew Lewis)

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Lawsuits
California
Legislation

A federal judge has dismissed California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s attempt to have Exxon Mobil’s defamation lawsuit thrown out. The lawsuit stems from Bonta’s criticism of Exxon’s advanced plastics recycling initiatives.

U.S. District Judge Michael Truncale ruled against Bonta’s claim of immunity, stating that his criticisms of Exxon were made in the “heartland” of his official duties as attorney general. This ruling opens the door for further examination of whether Bonta’s statements were made in good faith, a question that will be addressed later in the proceedings.

Related: California Attorney General Investigating Eaton Fire Emergency Response

In a related matter, Truncale dismissed claims against environmental groups such as Sierra Club, Baykeeper, Heal the Bay, and the Surfrider Foundation, citing a lack of jurisdiction over those cases.

Bonta’s office has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the ruling. An Exxon spokesperson stated, “This campaign of lies designed to derail our advanced recycling business must stop. We refuse to let others attack our reputation and technology for their financial and political gain.”

Exxon has increasingly taken a stand against environmentalists and critics who argue that its operations contribute to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. The company, headquartered in Spring, Texas, initiated its lawsuit against Bonta in January 2025, just months after California filed its own lawsuit accusing Exxon of decades of misleading claims about recycling limitations.

Exxon produces polymers that are essential for creating single-use plastics. Bonta, a Democrat, has publicly criticized Exxon’s promotion of its advanced recycling technology, which aims to convert hard-to-recycle plastics into fuel. He argues that the slow pace of this process indicates a lack of transparency and honesty from Exxon.

Judge: Not Unfair to Review Some Challenged Statements

In its lawsuit, Exxon challenged 14 statements made by Bonta during interviews, online posts, and public appearances. Among these were claims that Exxon’s recycling plan was “not based on truth,” that plastic waste was “piling up” in Houston despite recycling efforts, and that only 5% of U.S. plastic waste is recycled, with the remainder polluting the environment, waterways, oceans, wildlife, and humans.

Two of the statements in question originated from a Reuters interview. In a detailed 46-page decision, Judge Truncale noted that it “would not be unfair” to review these statements for potential defamation, as they were clearly related to Exxon and were based on Texas sources or included in a campaign email sent to Texas residents.

According to Truncale, under Texas law, Bonta’s official immunity hinges on whether his statements were objectively false. He also pointed out that Bonta’s comments regarding plastic waste appeared in an email that included a link for campaign contributions, emphasizing that “campaigning is not within Bonta’s scope of employment.”

Truncale was appointed to the federal bench in 2019 by Republican President Donald Trump.

(Reporting by Stempel in New York; Editing by David Gregorio and Matthew Lewis)

Topics
Lawsuits
California
Legislation