In a sentencing memo released on Thursday, federal prosecutors revealed that hackers hired by an Israeli private investigator were responsible for stealing communications between climate activists, which were later used in court by Exxon Mobil Corp. This development highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercrime and its impact on the legal landscape.
The memo, prepared by attorneys from the Southern District of New York, sheds light on the actions of Aviram Azari, the defendant in the case, who engaged the services of mercenary hackers to specifically target and extract emails exchanged among activists involved in the #ExxonKnew media campaign. These leaked emails were later exploited by the press, causing waves of controversy and influencing the outcome of ongoing investigations by the attorneys general of New York and Massachusetts.
The #ExxonKnew media campaign asserts that Exxon Mobil Corporation had prior knowledge of the detrimental impact of its products on climate change, but actively covered it up. This revelation prompted the attorneys general of New York and Massachusetts to initiate state investigations to substantiate these allegations.
In an alarming twist, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams links the leaked emails to news reports that insinuated the activists unduly influenced the attorneys general involved in the lawsuits against Exxon Mobil Corporation. Williams notes in the memo, “Those news articles appeared designed to undermine the integrity of the state AGs’ investigations into Exxon or individuals working at the non-profit organizations allegedly influencing the state AGs.” The impact of this press coverage was further compounded as Exxon Mobil Corporation incorporated it into their own state and federal filings related to the ongoing legal battles. Importantly, the memo does not implicate Exxon Mobil Corporation in the hacking activities, and the company vehemently denies any involvement.
Despite the revelations, the identity of the individuals who commissioned Azari’s services remains undisclosed in the memo. Aviram Azari has already pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to commit hacking. His sentencing is scheduled for next week.
When reached for comment, Kert Davies, a spokesperson for one of the hacking victims, the Center for Climate Integrity, emphasized the significance of discovering the clients behind the hacking. Davies stated, “While it’s satisfying to see Azari sentenced for these crimes committed many years ago, we would still love to know who paid him to target me and my climate activist and lawyer colleagues.” This lingering question highlights the need to uncover the full extent of the plot and hold all responsible parties accountable.
The Hill has reached out to Exxon Mobil Corporation for their response to these latest developments. It is crucial for all involved parties to address the impact of cybercrimes on legal proceedings and safeguard the integrity of the justice system.
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