A 16 year old case against Chevron has become increasingly volatile over the three weeks since Chevron accused the judge of involvement in a bribery scheme, and called for arbitration under United Nations Trade Law. The case is centered on alleged environmental abuses by Texaco (bought by Chevron in 2001) between the 1970?s and 1980?s. A lawyer for the plaintiffs derides Chevron?s move, and says that they just want an equitable outcome for the case. Arbitration proceedings began Wednesday.
See "Chevron Moves Fight with Ecuador to Arbitration", The New York Times, September 23, 2009