unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (10/25/89)
Forwarded-From : Greenlink October 20, 1989
TEXANS UNITED SUES EXXON FOR SLANDER
By PAULA DITTRICK
HOUSTON (UPI) -- Texans United Thursday filed a $11 million lawsuit
against Exxon Chemical and two of its spokesmen for telling reporters
the citizens group's executive leader made untrue statements about
Exxon's waste.
The lawsuit was filed in a Harris County state district court after a
news conference during which Texans United Executive Director Rick
Abraham displayed some oily waste he says is going into the Houston
Ship Channel.
Abraham has asked the Texas Water Commission to study samples of the
waste and to take any appropriate action against Exxon Chemical.
The lawsuit asked for $10 million in exemplary damages and $500,000 in
actual damages each for Abraham and Texans United. In addition to Exxon
Chemicals, it named Exxon Chemical Americas Manager Keith Fulton and
Ron Embry, Exxon public relations coordinator, as defendants.
The lawsuit said Fulton told the Houston Chronicle in July that
Abraham made untrue statements about Exxon's treatment of hydrocardon
waste and its discharge into the ship channel.
Embry told the Houston Chronicle in June that Abraham trespassed on
Exxon's property to collect samples of the waste, the lawsuit added.
"Exxon actively opposed our legislative proposals and wanted to focus
attention away from the real problem, which was their pollution of our
public waters. They tried to discredit our information by discrediting
our organization," Abraham said.
Exxon Chemicals had no immediate comment about the lawsuit.
"What Texas United is concerned about and what Rick Abraham is
concerned about is that Exxon is making a concerted and malicious
attempt to defame and discredit Texans United," said the group's
attorney, Terrill L. Flenniken.
"They knew that they were going to be quoted in the newspaper and so
they knew when they made the comments that everybody in the county and
across the state and perhaps across the country was going to be aware
and know about these comments," he said. "Texans United is not going
to stand by and let it happen."
Abraham said a sample of waste taken from a canal near Exxon's Baytown
plants was analyzed for Texans United. The test results showed the
waste contained 36 percent petroleum hydrocarbon.
The sample was taken on the edge of the canal about 15 yards from the
shore of the ship channel, Abraham said, adding there were no signs
designating the borders of Exxon's property.
It was not until Texans United publicized the analysis of the sample
that Exxon accused Abraham of trespassing, he said.
"It is Exxon that is trespassing into our public air and water with
their toxic pollution," Abraham said.
Texans United is a citizens group involved primarily in environmental
concerns also it also is involved in rural economic issues and is
opposed to a Houston Lighting & Power rate hike.
* Origin: TouchStone HST: A FINE Standard (509)292-8178 (1:346/1.0)
---
Patt Haring | United Nations | Screen Gems in
patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information | misc.headlines.unitex
patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange |
-=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-