Justice Samuel Alito has a financial stake in a pending Supreme Court case that could have far-reaching implications on whether states can hold federal contractors accountable for environmental damage and other corporate malfeasance within their borders.
The case involves oil and gas companies urging the high court to transfer state-based pollution lawsuits to the federal court system, where they may expect a more business-friendly legal venue. Alito holds stock in one of the fossil fuel companies that could benefit from the transfer, but he has so far ignored calls for his recusal from the case.
The Supreme Court case, named Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, was originally brought to the high court in January by Chevron, the Texas Company, ExxonMobil, and Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company, a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips. According to financial disclosures, Alito owns up to $15,000 of ConocoPhillips stock and has other fossil fuel holdings.
In May, Burlington Resources withdrew from the case, but the broader legal ramifications of the ruling could still affect its business. According to a report from government watchdog Accountable.US shared exclusively with the Lever, the withdrawal “appears to be a cynical attempt to avoid forcing Justice Alito to recuse himself from the case or weaken calls for his recusal.”
But if that was the plan, it hasn’t succeeded in quashing objections to Alito’s involvement in the case.
“I think that Justice Alito should recuse [himself] from this case,” said Doug Lindner, senior director of judiciary and democracy at the League of Conservation Voters. “It looks a little shady that a subsidiary of ConocoPhillips is withdrawing from this particular Supreme Court part of the case, knowing that Justice Alito is a ConocoPhillips shareholder, while the rest of the case continues and the substantive issues remain the same.”
The Supreme Court did not respond to a request for comment…
Auteur: Freddy Brewster
