Chevron seeks probe of N. Y. official

ALBANY, N. Y. — Chevron asked New York’s ethics commission Tuesday to investigate state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, claiming he improperly pushed the energy giant to settle an $ 18 billion Ecuadorean court claim for environmental damage in the Amazon rain forest.

San Ramon- based Chevron said that DiNapoli is sole trustee of the $ 150 billion state pension fund, which owns more than $ 800 million in Chevron stock, and that the comptroller violated duty by backing shareholder resolutions to settle the lawsuit and appoint an environmental specialist to the corporation’s board. The resolutions failed.

According to the complaint, DiNapoli received more than $ 60,000 in campaign contributions from supporters of the plaintiffs in the Ecuadorean lawsuit. Chevron also said DiNapoli’s offi ce received offers of trips to Ecuador, political benefi ts and access to celebrities — the musician Sting and his wife.

“The comptroller’s continued advocacy has come despite repeated findings by U. S. federal courts that the Ecuador litigation is tainted by fraud,” said Hewitt Pate, Chevron vice president and counsel. He said DiNapoli’s actions serve only his political patrons, not New Yorkers or fund beneficiaries. The company said its liability was settled by remediation and an old agreement with Ecuador.

DiNapoli said Chevron distorted the facts and denied its responsibility, and predicted the Joint Commission on Public Ethics would see through it.