$27 Billion Environmental Lawsuit filed against Chevron

Ecuador court lets judge leave Chevron case

QUITO, Ecuador — An Ecuadorean court has said it will allow a judge to withdraw from overseeing a $27 billion lawsuit charging the Chevron Corp. with environmental damage in the Amazon rain forest.

The lawyer representing Ecuador in the lawsuit told The Associated Press on Tuesday about the court’s decision to allow Judge Juan Nunez to step down. Pablo Fajardo says the case now will be heard by Judge Nicolas Zambrano.

A different court had earlier denied Nunez’s request. He asked to step down to facilitate an investigation of Chevron suggestions he was involved in a bribery scheme. He denied involvement in such a scheme.

The judge’s removal could delay a verdict that had been expected this year.