Amit Forlit, a 58-year-old Israeli man, appeared in court in New York on Friday after being extradited from the UK where he was arrested in 2024. He is accused of orchestrating massive hacking and electronic fraud operations between 2012 and 2019, targeting organizations, scientists, and citizens involved in fighting climate change. If convicted, he could face up to forty-five years in prison.
ExxonMobil is alleged to have hired environmental groups to hack data, aiming to make millions individually. The man worked for a lobbying firm whose client is ExxonMobil, one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies based in Irving, Texas. While Exxon claims ignorance of these hacking operations, the lobbying firm denies it, attributing it to radical anti-oil activists spreading conspiracy theories.
The hacking operations aimed to gather data and intelligence for Exxon’s use in political lobbying and legal battles. Over 100 targets were identified, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, which has been studying the role of the fossil fuel industry for fifty years, and the Center for Climate Integrity, which advocates against laws protecting oil and gas giants.
Efforts to prevent legal action and “climate blackmail” are increasing, with some states passing laws protecting companies from climate change lawsuits. In response, Texas Senator Ted Cruz introduced a bill to protect American energy producers from left-wing legal crusades. The accused hacker, Amit Forlit, has been released on surveillance pending further court appearance on August 13th.
