Earlier this week, Ecuador's Prosecutor General indicted two Chevron attorneys associated with the company's ongoing civil lawsuit between Chevron and 48 Ecuadorian plaintiffs.

The politically motivated indictments mark a renewal of the Ecuadorian state's attempts to disavow contractual obligations owed to Chevron from contracts signed in 1995 and 1998. The actions also ignore the findings of prior Prosecutor Generals who have repeatedly investigated fraud allegations and found them to be meritless.

In response, Chevron Vice President and General Counsel Charles James issued the following statement:

"By issuing these baseless indictments, it is clear the government of Ecuador is trying to intimidate Chevron into forfeiting its legal rights. This outrageous tactic won't work. Chevron intends to continue pursuing the rights it is owed under the law and its agreements with the government of Ecuador.

"Recent events in Ecuador leave no doubt that there is improper collaboration between the government and plaintiffs' lawyers. The systematic denial of Chevron's right to a fair trial is obvious, and it is clear that the proceeding has been thoroughly corrupted. By persecuting Chevron's counsel and collaborating with the plaintiffs to undermine Chevron's legal rights, Ecuador's government has intervened in the legal proceeding. The Ecuadorian state continues to call into serious question the legitimacy of its judiciary and its commitment to the rule of law."

Tags: Chevron Corporation