NY jury finds Exxon Mobil liable for contaminating NYC’s groundwater
By APMonday, October 19, 2009
Jury: Exxon Mobil liable for groundwater dangers
NEW YORK — A jury has found Exxon Mobil liable for contaminating New York City’s groundwater with a gasoline additive and has awarded the city $105 million.
The jury in federal court in Manhattan issued its findings Monday after an 11-week trial.
The city sued Exxon Mobil for the costs of removing a gasoline additive from drinking wells in Queens. It argued that the company ignored warnings from its own scientists and engineers not to use the additive in areas that use groundwater for drinking water.
Exxon Mobil said in a statement that it was disappointed with the jury verdict and was considering its legal options. The company said it was not the source of the contamination and should not have to pay for someone else’s contaminants.
