In brief
Forlit is accused of stealing information from environmental groups while operating under the direction of a lobbying firm for ExxonMobil.
A London court has sanctioned the extradition of Amit Forlit, an Israeli individual alleged to have orchestrated hacking activities aimed at environmental organizations. New York prosecutors claim that Forlit, 57, managed firms that reportedly generated over $16 million by breaching the security of more than 100 targets, facilitating the theft of sensitive data for a lobbying agency associated with a prominent oil company.Legal representatives representing Forlit revealed in a court document this January that the lobbying firm involved is ExxonMobil. The oil giant faces legal challenges from Democratic state attorneys and various local authorities, accusing it of concealing knowledge about climate change for years in order to maintain its oil sales. The lobbying firm linked to this case is identified as DCI Group.In response to the allegations, ExxonMobil declared that it had no involvement or prior knowledge related to any hacking activities, categorically condemning such actions if they indeed took place. Meanwhile, DCI’s spokesperson, Craig Stevens, stated that the firm advises its staff and contractors to adhere strictly to legal standards, asserting that no personnel from DCI were involved in any hacking activities purportedly occurring a decade ago. The spokesperson further claimed that accusations against the firm are unfounded and stem from "radical anti-oil activists" funded by wealthy families with ties to fossil fuel legacies.
