The US legal system is on the brink of a revelation that could expose the culprits behind a decade-long hacking scandal targeting climate activists. A court case centered around Israeli private investigator Amit Forlit, who is facing hacking and wire fraud charges, has brought to light a web of corporate influence and political intrigue. The investigation has uncovered a potential link between ExxonMobil and a lobbying firm, DCI Group, which may have commissioned the hacking of climate activists' email accounts.
The story begins with a group of American climate activists, closely monitoring a US court case that could reveal who hired hackers to target their inboxes a decade ago. In 2015, explosive media reports exposed ExxonMobil's internal knowledge of climate change dating back to 1982, yet the company continued to fund climate denial campaigns. This revelation prompted investigations by attorneys general and legal action against Exxon.
As climate activists sought to hold Exxon accountable, they became victims of a sophisticated phishing campaign. Kert Davies, founder of the Climate Investigations Center, received over 80 phishing emails, including one pretending to be a colleague sharing a confidential document. A Department of Justice investigation confirmed the hacking of over 100 victims, including Exxon critics.
The mystery of who ordered the hacking operation deepened with the extradition and arraignment of Amit Forlit in a US federal court. Court documents alleged that Forlit, facing up to 45 years in prison, was hired by a firm representing Exxon. The alleged client, DCI Group, a lobbying firm with a history of working with Exxon, denies involvement.
The US attorney's office in New York unsealed an indictment, alleging that a lobbying firm, likely DCI Group, hired Forlit to hack climate activists. The FBI also investigated DCI Group regarding the hacking. Public documents show Exxon's significant spending on lobbying, including $320,000 in 2015, the year the hacking was allegedly commissioned.
ExxonMobil, through a spokesperson, denied involvement in any hacking activities and condemned such actions. DCI Group's partner, Craig Stevens, also denied any knowledge or involvement in the alleged hacking.
The investigation led to the arrest of Aviram Azari, an Israeli private investigator, in 2019. Azari pleaded guilty to hacking charges in 2022, admitting to playing a critical role in a massive hacking campaign. Sentencing documents revealed that Azari managed intelligence-gathering and phishing campaigns, targeting thousands of people worldwide, with clients paying him over $4.8 million.
The Forlit indictment, focusing on five unnamed victims, has left activists like Jennifer Cunningham and Lee Wasserman, who received phishing emails, hoping for a court revelation. Wasserman, who supported an Exxon investigation, believes the hacking had a chilling effect on accountability efforts.
The case raises questions about corporate influence, political lobbying, and the potential consequences of hacking. As the legal process unfolds, the public awaits the truth behind the hacking scandal, with the potential to expose a web of corporate and political interests.
