Exxon lobbyist target of FBI probe over hack-and-leak of environmentalist emails – Reuters

The FBI is investigating a longtime Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) consultant over the contractor’s alleged role in a hack-and-leak operation that targeted hundreds of the oil company’s biggest critics, Reuters reported Wednesday.

The operation involved mercenary hackers who successfully breached the email accounts of environmental activists and others, according to the report.

The alleged scheme reportedly began in 2015, when U.S. authorities contend the names of the hacking targets were compiled by the DCI Group, a lobbying company working for Exxon (XOM) at the time which provided the names to an Israeli private detective, who then outsourced the hacking.

In an attempt to push a narrative that Exxon (XOM) was the target of enemies seeking to destroy its business, some of the stolen material was subsequently leaked to the media by DCI, and the FBI found that DCI shared the information with Exxon before leaking it, according to the report.

Some environmental activists told Reuters that the hacking operation disrupted preparations for lawsuits by cities and states against Exxon (XOM) and other energy companies.