A pioneering climate lawsuit in Puerto Rico that accuses the fossil fuel industry of violating a law best known for its role in cracking down on the mafia has moved one step closer to trial.
Magistrate Judge Héctor Ramos-Vega in a recommendation issued last week found that the more than three dozen Puerto Rico municipalities seeking compensation from the oil and gas industry have a case under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and antitrust laws.
“I find that plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged that defendants engaged in a continued pattern of unlawful acts or omissions which cause foreseeable damages,” Ramos-Vega wrote. His findings will be reviewed by the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.
Ramos-Vega did recommend dropping consumer protection and failure-to-warn claims.
